Knives are out for Higher and Tertiary Education Minister and his deputy amid reports that they masterminded fraud and money laundering involving over US$430 000.
The country’s main opposition party, MDC-T has called on for an immediate arrest of Higher and Tertiary Education Minister, Professor Jonathan Moyo and his deputy, Dr Godfrey Gandawa.
According to state media, Prof Moyo and a staffer in his office, Dr Gandawa, Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund chief executive Mr Frederick Mandizvidza and Zimdef principal director (finance) Mr Nicholas Mapute could have unlawfully benefited from US$430 000 of the State enterprise’s money between November 2015 and June 2016.
MDC-T spokesperson, Obert Gutu has challenged the Zimbabwe Anti Corruption Commission (ZACC), the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and all the other crime – fighting agencies to immediately arrest the two.
He said his party, views the move by Prof Moyo and his colleagues as the root of the political and socioeconomic crisis that is presently bedeviling the nation.
“From facts that are now in the public domain, both the Minister of Higher Education, Jonathan Moyo and his deputy, Godfrey Gandawa, have a prima facie criminal case to answer.
“In these circumstances, therefore, the MDC would like to challenge the Zimbabwe Anti – Corruption Commission (ZACC), the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and all the other crime – fighting agencies to descend upon public officials who have been pilfering State resources; not only at the Ministry of Higher Education but, indeed, at all other public bodies such as State corporations,” said Gutu.
Gutu blasted the ruling party for endorsing corrupt ministers, amid revelations that Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko blocked the arrest of Prof Moyo describing the move as “malicious” and orchestrated to tarnish his image.
VP MPhoko said ZACC has no capacity to arrest a Cabinet Minister without authorisation from the President .
“The criminal and mafiagangsterism of Ignatious Chombo when he was the Minister of Local Government is also well – documented. Saviour Kasukuwere’s criminal escapades when he was the Minister of Indigenisation read like a fairy tale in the public domain,” said Gutu.
He added, “Obert Mpofu earned himself a very notorious reputation of high level corruption during the time that he was Minister of Mines & Mineral Development. We can actually write a book of no less than 5000 pages that details the corrupt and criminal dealings of each and every one of the Zanu PF Cabinet Ministers. The whole Zanu PF State edifice, right from the very top, is corrupt to the bone marrow.”
The People’s Democratic party weighed in saying Zanu PF corruption has reached endemic levels.
“The shocking exposure of how Jonathan Moyo and his subordinates milked dry the Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund’s (Zimdef) financial coffers is proof of how endemic corruption levels in the Zanu PF government has reached.
“The people of Zimbabwe should unite and demand the immediate mass resignation of the Zanu PF.
“As the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), we find it deeply disgusting that Moyo believes that it is acceptable for him to loot government coffers and purchase bicycles for chiefs when we have a whole ministry that caters for the welfare of our traditional leaders.
“Moyo’s arrogance in defending his grand theft is a reflection of how other Zanu PF ministers interfere in the running of state enterprises, which fall under their mandate where dubious loans are procured clandestinely and project costs inflated so that those in the looting chain award themselves millions of dollars,” said PDP.
Gokwe-Nembudziya, Zanu PF MP, Justice Mayor Wadyajena is also at the centre of the Moyo wrangle calling for the Minister to pay back the money.
Writing on his twitter Wadyajena, who is believed to be a staunch Team Lacoste follower said, “Carry your cross to Golgotha @ProfJNMoyo. There is no Simon of Cyreen to carry it for Fraudsters. Pay back our $$$.
Carry your cross to Golgotha @ProfJNMoyo. There is no Simon of Cyreen to carry it for Fraudsters. Pay back our ???! https://t.co/YPpNYr5UCe
— H⭕️N. JⓂ️W,Ⓜ️?️?? (@mayor_justice) October 8, 2016
Wadyena could not hide his enthusiasm over Prof Moyo’s corruption storm went on to praise the Herald editor for exposing the matter.
?? Excellent work @caesarzvayi @TrevorNcube @elias_mambo @matigary. Expose the ?fraudsters ?Shame on you @ProfJNMoyo pic.twitter.com/pOIPBZ2jzE
— H⭕️N. JⓂ️W,Ⓜ️?️?? (@mayor_justice) October 8, 2016
Minister, who could not be silenced on Twitter hit back at Team Lacoste, which is believed to be masterminding his ouster saying they will never succeed.
Gukurahundi politicians cannot win a NATIONAL election. In fact gukurahundi politicians are by definition unelectable!
— Prof Jonathan Moyo (@ProfJNMoyo) October 10, 2016
