HARARE — Former Zanu PF political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere has claimed businessman Mike Chimombe was jailed because he allegedly revealed that $7 million from the Presidential Goat Pass-On Scheme was paid into President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s personal account.
Chimombe was sentenced to 12 years last month for using forged documents to secure an $87 million tender under the scheme.“Mai Chimombe is not unique. They’re stealing every day, left, right and center. But if you don’t have manners at the table — talking while you’re supposed to be eating — you get punished,” Kasukuwere told Alpha Media. “And Chimombe then said, ‘No, here’s the bank account. We’ve put the $7 million into his personal bank account.’”
The Presidency had not responded to the allegations by time of publication. Efforts to get comment from Information Minister Jenfan Muswere were unsuccessful.Kasukuwere accused the government of victimizing dissenters, citing former Energy Minister Samuel Undenge’s conviction for criminal abuse of office.
Undenge was jailed for instructing the Zimbabwe Power Company to hire former Zanu PF legislator Psychology Maziwisa and ex-ZBC anchor Oscar Pambuka as consultants for $12,659.He called it “political persecution,” saying “real criminals with serious cases,” some in government, go unpunished.“How much has been lost? All the audits done during Biti’s time in Parliament — where are they? Monies are being transferred from the Central Bank right now to individuals, in millions. Have there been any arrests?” he said.
Kasukuwere said journalists reporting corruption are being hounded out of the country. “Today theft is not disguised. It’s done in broad daylight,” he said.Zanu PF officials were not immediately available for comment.