by Staff reporter
MDC Vice President, Obert Gutu has said that steps against corruption should not only target Zanu PF ministers, but should also be stretched to all corrupt people including the opposition officials.
On his official twitter handle, Gutu tweeted that, “Corruption is not a monopoly of Zanu PF Cabinet Ministers. During the GNU (Government of National Unity) era, some MDC Cabinet Ministers cut corrupt deals with Interfin Bank and looted millions of public funds. Fight against corruption should target all corrupt people, regardless of political affiliation.”
He added, “Millions of public funds in US dollars disappeared in the now collapsed Interfin Bank Limited as a direct result of the fraudulent activities of some corrupt but loud-mouthed MDC Cabinet Ministers during the GNU era. This is not fiction. It's a fact. ZACC is investigating.”
Responding to Gutu’s tweets, one netizen Bossmajor said, “Gutu is not lying, that's the truth some people don't want to hear kune matsotsi kuMDC. It's high time we realise that all those guys are after their tummies.”
Gutu’s comments were in apparent reference to MDC Alliance vice leader, Tendai Biti who allegedly instructed the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) to deposit over US$30m into two banks which have since collapsed.
The money was deposited into Interfin Merchant Bank and Renaissance Bank on separate occasions.
In 2014, former MDC-T minister of State Enterprises and Parastatals in the GNU, Gorden Moyo made claims that he once gave former President Robert Mugabe a dossier implicating 11 Zanu PF and four MDC ministers on allegations of corruption.
The late MDC leader himself, Morgan Tsvangirai was also involved in a double dipping scandal during the GNU. Reports say that the then Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Tendai Biti released $US1.5 million to buy Tsvangirai’s house in Highlands, Harare. Tsvangirai reportedly went on to receive another US$1.5 million from the RBZ for the same property.
In 2011, former MDC Energy and Power Development Minister, Elton Mangoma breached fuel tender regulations by importing at least five million litres of fuel from a South African company, NOOA. However, NOOA failed to honour the contract and never delivered the fuel.
Since its formation in 1999, the MDC has never set a commission of enquiry on its officials fingered in corruption. Speaking at a national executive committee meeting in Masvingo last week, MDC leader, Nelson Chamisa admitted that there was rampant corruption in the MDC-led councils. He even threatened to recall them, a threat that political analysts view as mere window-dressing.
In some cases, the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing had to set up Commissions to run the affairs of some urban areas after the expulsion or suspension of the whole council on allegations of corruption.
Political analysts say while there is corruption among some Zanu PF members, at least the ruling party has shown zeal to curb the vice. They cited the setting up of a commission of enquiry by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to investigate corruption charges levelled against senior party officials by the party’s Youths League.
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) was also given arresting powers by President Mnangagwa, resulting in the recent arrest of Minister of Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Prisca Mupfumira over the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) scandal.
