FORMER Higher Education minister and ex-Zanu PF
spin-doctor, Jonathan Moyo claims the ruling party looted over $70 million
diamond revenue from Chiadzwa and commandeered other State resources to oil its
campaign machinery ahead of the 2013 elections.
The self-exiled Moyo also claimed, on Twitter, that most of
the money was used to source party regalia from the Democratic Republic of
Congo (DRC) and China.
Moyo’s disclosures came as Parliament is probing top
government officials over the missing diamond revenue, following revelations by
former President Robert Mugabe that the country could not account for $15
billion realised from the sale of the gems.
Moyo said Zanu PF was likely to repeat its plunder of State
resources in this year’s election, adding President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s
business trip to China last week was also part of the ruling party’s mission to
shop for campaign material.
“In 2013, Zanu PF used diamond revenues and State funds to
buy and ship campaign regalia from DRC and China worth over $70 million,” Moyo
wrote on Monday.
“ED’s (Mnangagwa’s) $2,3m China trip was to cover up use of
State funds to buy and ship from China 15 million T-shirts, 15 million caps and
two million cloth wrappers for Junta PF’s campaign! Zacc [Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption
Commission]!”
Moyo’s assertions came after Zanu PF national commissar
Engelbert Rugeje told party supporters in Gwanda last week that the party had
bought 15 million T-shirts, 15 million caps and two million cloth wrappers and
that some of the material was already in the country.
But Zanu PF spokesperson and acting Information minister
Simon Khaya Moyo yesterday dismissed the former Tsholotsho North legislator’s
statements.
“I don’t know about that. He knows better,” he said.
The opposition has always accused Zanu PF of abusing State
resources to fund its activities, a charge the ruling party dismissed as
unfounded, although Zacc is currently investigating cases of abuse of State
resources by the ruling party.
MDC-T Alliance spokesperson Welshman Ncube yesterday said
Moyo’s disclosures had confirmed the opposition’s fears.
“This has been going on, even the diversion of Zimdef
[Zimbabwe Manpower Development Funds] funds to fund Zanu PF, it is an example
of the modus operandi,” he said.
“We are also aware of the opaqueness of the diamond mining
sector and the bringing in of mining companies from countries such as China to
partner the army, intelligence and police was always a way of making sure
mining activities remained secretive.” Newsday
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