via Zanu PF MP accused of abusing Mnangagwa cash – Southern Eye
SILOBELA MP Mthokozisa Manoki Mpofu has been accused of diverting $ 9 600 donated towards Chirumanzu-Zibagwe MP Auxilia Mnangagwa’s campaign in the run-up to the June 10 by-elections to his own use.
By Stephen Chadenga
The money had reportedly been sourced by the Silobela Community Development Trust, which runs Turtle Peace gold mine.
In a report dated July 13 2015, reference number SCDT/PP/0715 and addressed to Mines and Mining Development deputy minister Fred Moyo, the trust’s chairman Arthur Nkiwane said they had donated $11 600, but Mpofu also of Zanu PF only handed over $2 000 to Mnangagwa’s campaign team.
Nkiwane also accused the legislator of diverting two loads of gold ore to a miller not approved by the trust.
However, Mpofu yesterday denied the theft charges.
“It is not true. Isn’t it true that you got the information from Nkiwane? Go there and get the information from your source,” he said. The trust said it feared the case was being swept under the carpet as no action had been taken against Mpofu.
“The trust has donated a sum of $11 600 to Hon A Mnangagwa to assist in campaigns of Chirumanzi-Zibagwe constituency in February 2015 for her by-elections campaign,” the trust said.
“The donation was handed by MP Manoki Mpofu of Silobela and we later learnt that he only handed over $2000 and the rest is not accounted for from the MP.
“The MP breached what we had discussed because we intended to hand it over as a trust.
“The matter is still under the carpet since no action has been taken over the matter in order to account for $9 600.”
This is not the first time that Mpofu’s name has been dragged into wrangles involving the mine.
Last year he allegedly clashed with local traditional leaders after he attempted to grab the mine from its trustees who include chiefs Sigodo, Malisa, Ruya and Gobo.
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