Obert Mpofu's business targeted as Zanu-PF factionalism intensifies

ZANU-PF factional tussles have taken a new dimension amid reports that warring camps are now targeting each other's business interests.

Sources this week told the Southern Eye that a senior Zanu-PF official lost business over an unsaid grudge with another senior member as recently as last month in Victoria Falls during the Sadc Youth ministers' conference.

It is understood that Parliament of Zimbabwe had made bookings for 30 officials for a cruise with Khanondo Safaris and Tours, but a top official (name supplied) forced a last-minute cancellation indicating that he "disliked Khanondo as it is owned by my political rival".

Khanondo Safaris and Tours is owned by Transport and Infrastructural Development minister Obert Mpofu.

"The facility received bookings of 30 people including Sadc ministers and other VIPs for a sunset boat cruise on October 28," a source revealed.

"The cruise was to be on October 30.

"However, an hour before the cruise we received a call indicating a cancellation, but the reasons were not clear. We were only told the boss does not like Khanondo."

An insider at Khanondo said they informed Parliament officials that they had already prepared for the cruise, but the legislators insisted on the cruise being cancelled.

"We told them of our policy on cancellations, but they would have none of it," the source said.

"All catering had been prepared.

"Although we are not into politics, it is clear that the cancellations were motivated by political affiliations."

The official said thousands of dollars in potential revenue were lost because of the cancellation.

A senior person at the company, who also declined to be named, confirmed the cancellations.

"Bookings were cancelled and I have no further comment on that, try Parliament," he said curtly.

Efforts to get a comment from Parliament were unsuccessful yesterday.