FEATURE:
After the decision by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to fight corruption, especially within government and the business sector, many public figures have been either briefly detained, released on remand or summoned by the police for questioning.
However for his critics they say all of this is just a show.
Last week the government announced that the “Presidential Powers (Temporary Measures) (Amendment of the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act and Exchange Control Act) Regulations, 2018”, empowers the government to seize assets of people who fail to disclose the source of their wealth.
Just after that announcement well known Harare socialite Genius “Ginimbi” Kadungure, 34, whose flashy lifestyle is widely covered by the media and has a variety of super cars and heavy spending in Africa’s richest square mile, Sandton, was arrested for tax evasion over a period of nine years. It is alleged that he owes the tax man at least US$22m.
Wicknell Chivayo, 39, has also had issues with the tax revenue services, has been in and out of court and even spent time in remand prison in relation to allegations of corruptly receiving US$5m from the government-owned Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) and including being rewarded US$200,000 tender illegally.
“These guys [new government] can pick up anyone just like that. Even if you can prove yourself later, you will spend time behind bars because you have been leading a flashy life. Most of us are dealers and obviously there’s no straight path in our trade and, to be honest, in the Zimbabwe situation no legitimate business can stay afloat without cutting corners because corruption is all over,” said one dealer, who has since set up base in Johannesburg until tempers cool.
“You had guys now looking for new sources to feed off, some were offering services like, ‘I know such and such a mineral dealer we can work with’,” he added.
Prosperity preacher, Prophet Walter Magaya, who claimed that he had found an HIV cure that could kill the virus in a space of two weeks is also being investigated. He has said before that he is worth at least US$500m.
The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) confirmed it is investigating the prophet’s source of wealth and tax compliance saying the issue was “highly sensitive”.
“You don’t get access to state resources without a power behind you. All these money-flaunting guys have their inside men, hence convicting them of any money related crime is nearly impossible,” said a Zanu PF insider.
This type of stories and narratives have been left for all to see, after Mnangagwa’s former special advisor, Christopher Mutsvangwa, told an independent weekly that Zimbabwe was being run by cartels, claiming these cartels had political pawns in the highest offices.
“He [Kudakwashe Tagwirei] is dividing the presidium. How can a businessman have preferences in the presidium? That is trying to turn the country into a banana republic. Tagwirei’s business gets about US$80m to US$90m every month for fuel from the RBZ [Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe], yet many companies, some of them the largest fuel dealers in the world, want to come and invest in the fuel industry in the country,” he said.
Photo credit- ZOOM Zimbabwe News
