Fugitive former Cabinet ministers Walter Mzembi and Saviour
Kasukuwere, believed to be holed up in South Africa, are at the centre of an
attempt to push for regime change in Zimbabwe to salvage their waning political
fortunes and ward off criminal charges they are facing in Harare.
Mr Kasukuwere posted a statement on his Twitter account in
which he made threats of regime change yesterday after a magistrates’ court
acceded to an application to have his Nyanga property seized after he skipped
bail.
“I said it will be rough, but it is gonna be rougher but
thereafter we will have a ZW (Zimbabwe) we all want. This monopoly and idiocy
shall be challenged. With or without 2023 it is coming. Tatamba zvakwana,” said
Mr Kasukuwere.
Another fugitive former Cabinet minister, Professor
Jonathan Moyo, responded confirming the regime change plan by Mr Kasukuwere.
“Kasukuwere vows to take his fight to Mnangagwa after his
property is seized,” said Prof Moyo.
The trio were part of a G40 cabal that were abusing their
authority taking advantage of their proximity to the First Family led by former
president Mugabe.
Mr Mzembi reportedly roped in South African-based Zimbabwe
businessman Mr Mutumwa Mawere, as well as political activists Mr Dhewa Mavhinga
and Ms Miriam Mutizwa, in his quest for regime change through engagement with
the United States and the European Union.
The duo also intended to drag South African President Cyril
Ramaphosa to court as part of eforts to exert pressure on Pretoria to act
against Zimbabwean authorities and also use South African opposition party,
the Economic Freedom Fighters fronted by
Mr Julius Malema.
This is contained in a leaked WhatsApp chat between Mr
Mzembi and Mr Mawere which has gone viral on social media.
Ironically, Mr Mzembi has not been attending trial in
Harare ostensibly because he was bedridden in South Africa, at least according
his lawyer, Mr Job Sikhala.
The chats also showed that contrary to claims by Mr
Mzembi’s lawyers, he has been up and running in South Africa carrying out his
private business.
Although Mr Mzembi was not available for comment, Mr Mawere
acknowledged the chat but denied that their discussion was about regime change.
“What does regime change mean? What should be the shared
morality? Should any question about the choices and conduct of certain
Government officials be construed as part of regime change? Yet the voices are
missing on what matters to Zimbabwe’s future. Do we need sanctions to ignite
positivity? Zimbabweans need no toxic laws to inspire creativity,” he said.
Mr Mawere maintained that Mr Mzembi was not well and until
his last discussion with the former Cabinet minister he had not had any
engagement with him “for years”.
But the chats showed that Mr Mzembi had been carrying out
his business and fulfilling agreed appointments.
This is shown by his response to Mr Mawere who had greeted
him.
“My apologies on today, was in PTA until late, we may have
to move our coffee chat to the weekend when it’s all relaxed a bit, what’s your
take,” said Mr Mzembi.
In the chat Mr Mawere asked Mr Mzembi “Did you go through
the stuff?”
Mr Mzembi responded: “I have been going through the
information you sent. My summary is a regime change in Harare is part of the
solution if not the ultimate solution.”
Regarding President Ramaphosa, Mr Mzembi and Mr Mawere
agreed that they should drag President Ramaphosa to court as part of measures
to ensure that he “recalibrate regional solidarity”.
In one of the chat, Mr Mzembi said: “(President) Ramaphosa
as our host we need him. We just need to bring him up to speed with the
Zimbabwean question. He needs to recalibrate regional solidarity.”
Mr Mawere responded “Do you not agree that if he is put to
the test in court then he will be forced to take the issue seriously? What do
you think of convincing the EFF to take the front end of it?”
Mr Mzembi implored Mr Mawere to be proactive: “As long as
you don’t front it yourself the optics have to be right.”
On sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the United States, Mr
Mzembi proposed that they would use Mr Mawere’s case, that he be compensated as
a pre-condition for removal of the illegal embargo.
Government took over Mr Mawere’s business concern in terms
of the Reconstruction of State Indebted Companies and Insolvency Act after it
felt that it was heavily exposed.
“We have to place your issue before the USA in a manner
where it becomes topical politically and linked to removal of sanctions.
Equally EU. So Dhewa (Mavhinga) will be key if we package it properly,” said Mr
Mzembi.
In the chats, Mr Mzembi also talked about how discussion of
a bailout for Zimbabwe by South Africa could be derailed. They also discussed
how to engage the white farmers who lost their case against Zimbabwe before a
Sadc Tribunal.
It was agreed that the email that they planned to send to
the farmers would also be copied to Mr Mavhinga and Ms Mutizwa. Herald
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