PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe has been dragged into a
cash-for-diamonds bribery scandal playing out in a United States court
involving former Congressman Mel Reynolds and business tycoon, Elzie
Higginbottom.
According to media reports, Reynolds — a self-actor — spent
90 minutes grilling Higginbottom during trial, where he was implicated in
sending $100 000 in bribe money.
“Did you ever send money to me in Zimbabwe to give to a
high-ranking elected official?” Reynolds asked Higginbottom.
“No, I did not,” Higginbottom said.
The inquisition went on: “Did you ever give Robert Mugabe a
cheque for money for him?” Reynolds insisted. And Higginbottom retorted: “Absolutely not.”
Reynolds inquired further: “Did you have a deal with Robert
Mugabe for a diamond concession in Zimbabwe?” Reynolds asked. “No, I did not,”
Higginbottom responded. Mugabe’s spokesperson, George Charamba yesterday said
he would not be drawn into commenting on matters before the courts, describing
Reynolds as a convict.
“I cannot dignify allegations made against the President by
a convicted felon. You are asking me to put the President on trial by
commenting on a matter that is sub judice. This matter is before the courts
and, therefore, I will not be drawn into commenting,” he said.
Reynolds alleged Mugabe had agreed to grant Higginbottom a
concession to mine diamonds and the profits would be split between the two
after the latter gave the Zanu PF leader a cheque for $100 000.
Reynolds, a contentious character, who visited Zimbabwe in
2014 and was feted by government officials such as Home Affairs minister
Ignatius Chombo and his Tourism counterpart, Walter Mzembi, is being charged
for tax evasion in the US.
His short stay in Zimbabwe was marred by an arrest on
allegations of possessing pornographic material.
However, the charge was thrown out by the courts, but the
former US Representative was convicted for staying in the country on an expired
permit.
Reynolds also claimed Higginbottom was upset that Reynolds
had somehow sabotaged the deal and paid a Zimbabwean official to “set up” the
former congressman, triggering the pornography case.
The former Congressman also reportedly brought up the issue
of a “journal” that he claimed contained the “funnel” transactions, but did not
produce it.
The trial was set to resume yesterday.
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