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Mutodi's sacking sparks allegations of cartel control in Zimbabwe's treasury
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The abrupt dismissal of Energy Mutodi as chairperson of Parliament's Finance Committee - just days after he accused Finance Secretary George Guvamatanga of corruption - has ignited a firestorm of allegations that powerful cartels are now steering Zimbabwe's executive machinery.
On October 7, Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda announced Mutodi's removal "with immediate effect," terminating his committee role and associated benefits. The move followed Mutodi's explosive remarks in the National Assembly, where he accused senior officials in the Ministry of Finance of demanding kickbacks from contractors.
"I have agonising reports… suggesting that high officials at the Ministry of Finance are demanding between five to ten percent payment for every transaction executed by the Treasury to contractors," Mutodi said, as recorded in the Hansard.
He singled out Guvamatanga, alleging that the Finance Secretary runs a corrupt syndicate that forces contractors to pay a "corruption premium" to access their own funds. Mutodi claimed that road construction firm Bitumen was coerced into paying US$200,000 for every US$2 million in weekly payments approved by Guvamatanga.
He further alleged that Parliament itself had been denied funding for refusing to comply with these demands.
According to Mutodi, Guvamatanga - a former CEO of Barclays Bank - has amassed a fortune exceeding US$1 billion, including 5,000 dairy cattle, multiple mansions, and luxury assets, all while serving as a public official.
Mutodi stated that his committee had repeatedly attempted to summon Guvamatanga to appear before Parliament, but he had refused.
"This cannot continue," he said.
Although Mutodi later issued a statement retracting some of his claims and citing an amicable resolution with the Finance Ministry, his removal came just five days later, with Mudenda invoking the authority of the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders (CSRO).
Observers say the timing and manner of Mutodi's dismissal point to a deeper crisis.
Former Finance Minister Tendai Biti described the move as a "calculated and ruthless strike" by entrenched cartels.
"The sudden removal of Honourable Energy Mutodi as chair of Parliament's Budget and Finance Committee is an undeniable unconstitutional overreach by a desperate, cantankerous cartel intent on maintaining its iron grip on the nation's public coffers," Biti said.
"The allegations against George Tongesai Guvamatanga are well-documented and demand rigorous parliamentary scrutiny."
Guvamatanga has been linked to powerful networks allegedly operating close to President Emmerson Mnangagwa and controversial businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei, placing him at the centre of what critics call a state-capture syndicate.
Political analyst Tinashe Madondo claimed that Guvamatanga used his "looted financial war chest" to bribe ZANU PF Chief Whip Pupurai Togarepi to orchestrate Mutodi's removal and eventual expulsion from Parliament. Madondo alleged that Togarepi received US$500,000 for his role.
Known cartel figure Wicknell Chivhayo has already declared on social media that Mutodi will be expelled from Parliament.
Madondo said the incident exposes "mafia-style operations" within the state.
"This action lays bare the ruthless, mafia-style operations now permeating the Zimbabwean state, where those entrusted with oversight are systematically intimidated and eliminated if they dare challenge a protected criminal enterprise."
He accused the Tagwirei cartel of looting over US$7 billion from the state, with Guvamatanga acting as a key facilitator.
"This incident signifies a profound collapse of governance. It illustrates that essential parliamentary oversight mechanisms are being deliberately dismantled to shield high-level corruption."
Madondo urged international institutions to take note.
"Their partner in these critical economic discussions, George Guvamatanga, now stands at the center of serious, on-the-record allegations of corruption and is accused of actively undermining democratic accountability."
On October 7, Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda announced Mutodi's removal "with immediate effect," terminating his committee role and associated benefits. The move followed Mutodi's explosive remarks in the National Assembly, where he accused senior officials in the Ministry of Finance of demanding kickbacks from contractors.
"I have agonising reports… suggesting that high officials at the Ministry of Finance are demanding between five to ten percent payment for every transaction executed by the Treasury to contractors," Mutodi said, as recorded in the Hansard.
He singled out Guvamatanga, alleging that the Finance Secretary runs a corrupt syndicate that forces contractors to pay a "corruption premium" to access their own funds. Mutodi claimed that road construction firm Bitumen was coerced into paying US$200,000 for every US$2 million in weekly payments approved by Guvamatanga.
He further alleged that Parliament itself had been denied funding for refusing to comply with these demands.
According to Mutodi, Guvamatanga - a former CEO of Barclays Bank - has amassed a fortune exceeding US$1 billion, including 5,000 dairy cattle, multiple mansions, and luxury assets, all while serving as a public official.
Mutodi stated that his committee had repeatedly attempted to summon Guvamatanga to appear before Parliament, but he had refused.
"This cannot continue," he said.
Although Mutodi later issued a statement retracting some of his claims and citing an amicable resolution with the Finance Ministry, his removal came just five days later, with Mudenda invoking the authority of the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders (CSRO).
Observers say the timing and manner of Mutodi's dismissal point to a deeper crisis.
Former Finance Minister Tendai Biti described the move as a "calculated and ruthless strike" by entrenched cartels.
"The allegations against George Tongesai Guvamatanga are well-documented and demand rigorous parliamentary scrutiny."
Guvamatanga has been linked to powerful networks allegedly operating close to President Emmerson Mnangagwa and controversial businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei, placing him at the centre of what critics call a state-capture syndicate.
Political analyst Tinashe Madondo claimed that Guvamatanga used his "looted financial war chest" to bribe ZANU PF Chief Whip Pupurai Togarepi to orchestrate Mutodi's removal and eventual expulsion from Parliament. Madondo alleged that Togarepi received US$500,000 for his role.
Known cartel figure Wicknell Chivhayo has already declared on social media that Mutodi will be expelled from Parliament.
Madondo said the incident exposes "mafia-style operations" within the state.
"This action lays bare the ruthless, mafia-style operations now permeating the Zimbabwean state, where those entrusted with oversight are systematically intimidated and eliminated if they dare challenge a protected criminal enterprise."
He accused the Tagwirei cartel of looting over US$7 billion from the state, with Guvamatanga acting as a key facilitator.
"This incident signifies a profound collapse of governance. It illustrates that essential parliamentary oversight mechanisms are being deliberately dismantled to shield high-level corruption."
Madondo urged international institutions to take note.
"Their partner in these critical economic discussions, George Guvamatanga, now stands at the center of serious, on-the-record allegations of corruption and is accused of actively undermining democratic accountability."
Source - Byo24News
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