Fresh details have emerged to further rock the boat of Professor Jonathan Moyo who allegedly used Zimdef funds to purchase 65 computers in support of First Lady Grace Mugabe’s Rushinga rally last year
A memo in possession of Nehanda Radio reveals that deputy minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Dr Godfrey Gandawa was ordered by Zanu PF political commissar, Saviour Kasukuwere to deliver 65 computers at a rally in Rushinga that October.
Gandawa also released $20 000 cash to the Zanu PF women’s league for logistics to Sarah Mahoka and deputy secretary for the women’s league, Eunice Sandi Moyo.
“As you are aware Honorable Minister, that we got a request on the 13th of October 2015 from the National Political Commissar, Honourable Saviour Kasukuwere to support the First Lady’s Rushinga Rally with computers and logistics for the Women’s League and the Youth to participate,” reads the memoir.
Moyo and Gandawa’s misappropriation of over $400 000 came to the fore when the Zimbabwe Anti Corruption Commission (ZACC) attempted to arrest the minister during a Zanu PF politburo meeting on October 5, but President Robert Mugabe stopped the ZACC officers from arresting Moyo.
This month speaker of the House of Assembly, Jacob Mudenda tabled the report of the Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund (Zimdef) funds, with some party officials alleging that some funds were diverted for party use.
Gandawa reveals that he was under pressure to deliver as the rally would take place in 24 hours.
“The rally was to take place within 24 hours and put extreme pressure on the processing of the requirements. You advised me to get in touch with Commissioner Bungu with regards to the delivery of 65 computers for the rally and I had to make sure we deliver the computers ourselves,” Gandawa writes.
Gandawa says the computers were delivered on time and were acknowledged by Grace herself during the rally.
Zanu PF’s culture of impunity on corrupt officials has led to unprecedented levels of corruption where state funds are looted for party use and to fund personal projects.
Moyo has received undue protection from Mugabe and his vice president Phelekezela Mphoko at a time vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa would be happy to have him apprehended.
Corruption watchdog, Transparency International Zimbabwe (TIZ) report for 2016 revealed that the economy was losing over $1 billion annually through corruption.
Institutional corruption has been fingered as the cancer that has dragged the Zimbabwean economy into the abyss.
Gandawa who is being implicated for being an accomplice in the corruption scandal also revealed that $30 500 of Zimdef funds was allocated to the Women’s League and Youth Leagues respectively.
“You are further aware, Honourable Minister that we were further asked to provide cash to the Women’s League for the other logistics and I gave $20 000 to Honourable Sara Mahoka and Honourable Minister Sandi Moyo at Minister of Local Government Saviour Kasukuwere’s Local Government’s offices. We further provided transport and fuel for Youths and the hosting province to the tune of $13 500,” said Gandawa.
ZACC, an anti corruption body that has in the past been called a “toothless bulldog” managed to call Moyo for questioning.
But its urge to bite and prosecute the offenders is at the mercy of Mugabe who has become an expert in sacrificing his comrades.
Fighting in Moyo’s corner, Mugabe is very cunning and could turn against Moyo once he is no longer useful to his cause.
ZACC also is also accused of being heavily politicized to be effective in nabbing the real criminals who are roaming the streets