Corruption: Mugabe in catch 22

via Corruption: Mugabe in catch 22 – The Zimbabwe Independent October 9, 2013

PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe is in a catch 22 situation after he made public allegations accusing former Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC) chairperson Godwills Masimirembwa of soliciting a US$6 million bribe from a Ghanaian business tycoon, as pressure mounts on him and law enforcement agencies to act on the case which might open a Pandora’s box, government officials have revealed.

Information emerging is that many more people may be caught up in the dragnet, some of them close to Mugabe. Top government officials feel that if Mugabe does not act, his credibility in the fight against corruption might be on the line.

Mugabe further put himself under pressure this week when he told the politburo that there must be zero tolerance on corruption. Zanu PF spokesperson Rugare Gumbo confirmed this, saying Mugabe mentioned that dealing with corruption was an example of what the party had promised. It promised to uproot corruption in society and had to fulfil that pledge.

“The president made a passionate speech when he opened the politburo meeting when he called on the politburo members, Members of Parliament and ministers to go all out and fulfil promises we made because that is the only way Zanu PF can sustain itself come 2018,” Gumbo said.

Mugabe accused Masimirembwa of demanding money in cash from William Ato Essien, ZMDC’s joint venture partner in the diamond mining company Gye Nyame Resources.

Mines minister Walter Chidhakwa said this week government had set up a probe team to look into the case.