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NewsDay

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Zanu PF targets PM

News
A Zanu PF faction is behind a negative publicity blitz aimed at nailing Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai on alleged fraud charges involving the construction of his official residence, MDC-T said on Sunday. The past fortnight has seen a flurry of reports alleging the unearthing of fresh evidence suggesting Tsvangirai was involved in “double-dipping”. Last week, […]

A Zanu PF faction is behind a negative publicity blitz aimed at nailing Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai on alleged fraud charges involving the construction of his official residence, MDC-T said on Sunday.

The past fortnight has seen a flurry of reports alleging the unearthing of fresh evidence suggesting Tsvangirai was involved in “double-dipping”.

Last week, ZBC claimed Tsvangirai had used “$1,5 million to buy items for people far removed from the intended Prime Minister’s residence as well as undue enrichment programmes on the money market”.

Tsvangirai was allegedly given $1,5 million by Treasury and a similar amount by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe for the Highlands property. ZBC quoted unnamed legal experts as saying “it is a clear case of fraud which the courts should deal with”.

Police have said they are unaware of any investigations into the matter and the Attorney-General’s Office has also denied the existence of a docket against Tsvangirai on the alleged fraud.

MDC-T spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora said the “so-called double-dipping scandal is nothing but part of a sting operation to collapse the GNU (Government of National Unity) and rush for elections without agreeing on key reforms”.

“There is a faction within Zanu PF that is pushing for the collapse of the GNU through criminalisation of key MDC-T leaders and disturbing the constitution-making process.

“This is part of a well-choreographed sting operation and obviously the Prime Minister is the key target,” Mwonzora said Tsvangirai has been staying at his Strathaven home after Mugabe reportedly denied him the chance to move into Zimbabwe House upon joining the inclusive government in 2009.

The PM has been dragged to the courts before, but the charges have never stuck including those of plotting to kill Mugabe.

Several Zanu PF officials have publicly called for Tsvangirai’s prosecution over the alleged house scandal.

The party has been calling for elections this year arguing the inclusive government has become dysfunctional.

Farai Maguwu, a Mutare-based analyst, said the furore surrounding Tsvangirai’s house exposed lack of proper accounting systems in government. “I’m not an insider in government and how the funds are withdrawn,” he said.

“That’s why we call for strong government institutions so that funds are accounted for.

“There is room for traps and the people who disbursed those funds can turn against you and say there were double dealings. That’s why we say there is need for strong institutions to avoid such things,” Maguwu added.

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