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Sululu questions Chombo's wealth
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Former Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) legislator for Silobela and E-Movement leader Anadi Sululu has written to Chief Justice Luke Malaba and the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc), requesting an audience over concerns regarding former Finance minister Ignatius Chombo's reported extensive property holdings.
The concerns arise from divorce proceedings between Chombo and his wife, Marian, in which a substantial portfolio of properties was listed among assets accumulated during their marriage.
In a letter dated February 9 to Chief Justice Malaba, Sululu called for judicial oversight and due process regarding the origin of the disclosed assets. He noted that details emerging from the court proceedings revealed an extensive and diverse inventory of holdings, which he argued appeared disproportionate to the lawful earnings of a public servant primarily remunerated through a government salary.
"While it is acknowledged that courts are not forums for conjecture or arbitrary judgment, revelations of this scale inevitably raise grave public-interest concerns," Sululu wrote.
He urged the activation of appropriate legal mechanisms to facilitate an independent investigation by Zacc into the origin and acquisition of the assets.
"In the interest of justice, public confidence and institutional integrity, we respectfully request that appropriate judicial and lawful mechanisms be encouraged or activated to ensure an independent investigation - specifically, the facilitation of a formal inquiry by a legally-mandated authority, Zacc, into the origin and acquisition of the disclosed assets," he said.
Sululu also called for a comprehensive lifestyle audit and verification process, including a comparison of current holdings with prior asset declarations, where applicable, to determine whether there had been disproportionate accumulation during Chombo's time in public office.
He emphasised that his request was not intended to presume guilt but to uphold accountability and public confidence in state institutions.
"Where credible questions of this nature arise and remain unaddressed, silence or inaction risks eroding public trust in our institutions and undermining the moral authority of the State," Sululu said.
In a separate letter to Zacc, Sululu cited Section 255(1)(a) and (b) of the Constitution, which mandates the commission to investigate allegations of corruption and abuse of power in the public sector. He also referenced provisions under the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act, which allow for Unexplained Wealth Orders where assets appear significantly disproportionate to known lawful income.
He urged Zacc to consider freezing the assets pending investigation and to require a sworn declaration detailing the lawful sources of funds used for each acquisition.
As of Tuesday, Sululu said he had not received a response from either Chief Justice Malaba or Zacc.
The concerns arise from divorce proceedings between Chombo and his wife, Marian, in which a substantial portfolio of properties was listed among assets accumulated during their marriage.
In a letter dated February 9 to Chief Justice Malaba, Sululu called for judicial oversight and due process regarding the origin of the disclosed assets. He noted that details emerging from the court proceedings revealed an extensive and diverse inventory of holdings, which he argued appeared disproportionate to the lawful earnings of a public servant primarily remunerated through a government salary.
"While it is acknowledged that courts are not forums for conjecture or arbitrary judgment, revelations of this scale inevitably raise grave public-interest concerns," Sululu wrote.
He urged the activation of appropriate legal mechanisms to facilitate an independent investigation by Zacc into the origin and acquisition of the assets.
"In the interest of justice, public confidence and institutional integrity, we respectfully request that appropriate judicial and lawful mechanisms be encouraged or activated to ensure an independent investigation - specifically, the facilitation of a formal inquiry by a legally-mandated authority, Zacc, into the origin and acquisition of the disclosed assets," he said.
Sululu also called for a comprehensive lifestyle audit and verification process, including a comparison of current holdings with prior asset declarations, where applicable, to determine whether there had been disproportionate accumulation during Chombo's time in public office.
He emphasised that his request was not intended to presume guilt but to uphold accountability and public confidence in state institutions.
"Where credible questions of this nature arise and remain unaddressed, silence or inaction risks eroding public trust in our institutions and undermining the moral authority of the State," Sululu said.
In a separate letter to Zacc, Sululu cited Section 255(1)(a) and (b) of the Constitution, which mandates the commission to investigate allegations of corruption and abuse of power in the public sector. He also referenced provisions under the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act, which allow for Unexplained Wealth Orders where assets appear significantly disproportionate to known lawful income.
He urged Zacc to consider freezing the assets pending investigation and to require a sworn declaration detailing the lawful sources of funds used for each acquisition.
As of Tuesday, Sululu said he had not received a response from either Chief Justice Malaba or Zacc.
Source - Southern Eye
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