×
NewsDay

AMH is an independent media house free from political ties or outside influence. We have four newspapers: The Zimbabwe Independent, a business weekly published every Friday, The Standard, a weekly published every Sunday, and Southern and NewsDay, our daily newspapers. Each has an online edition.

I’ll fire you — Mugabe

News
President Robert Mugabe on Friday said he will dismiss any minister guilty of corruption after former South African President Thabo Mbeki confided in him that some of his ministers were demanding bribes from investors.

President Robert Mugabe yesterday said he will dismiss any minister guilty of corruption after former South African President Thabo Mbeki confided in him that some of his ministers were demanding bribes from investors.

Staff Reporters

Speaking at the official opening of the 13th Zanu PF annual National People’s Conference in Gweru, Mugabe said the ministers claimed that part of the kick-backs were meant for him.

“I was getting complaints from outside,” Mugabe said.

“Former South African President Thabo Mbeki was saying some of their people in the ANC wanted to come intending to do business and this is what they have been told: ‘If you want to do this business, you bring $5 million and from the $5 million, we take $1 million that we will take to the minister to give to the President.

“If I get information stating that so and so minister is doing this, he goes.

“Unfortunately, sometimes the complainants do not want to identify the ministers fearing persecution, but that is happening in the ministries.”

Mugabe said he had also received reports of corruption in the police force, especially at border posts and on the roads. “At the borders there are problems.

“You are meant to serve the people, you are our representatives not just of the government, but for the people of Zimbabwe as a whole and if you want to be doing jobs to be paid, then you are practising corruption,” said Mugabe to thunderous applause from the delegates.

He said Zimbabwe cannot boast of a well-disciplined police force because of the current attitude which promotes corruption.

He castigated the police for forcing motorists to fork out as much as $200 for dubious traffic offences.

Mugabe said at times, the vehicles may not even have faults, but motorists were forced to pay.

Mugabe again threatened to unilaterally call for early elections if the constitution-making process was not concluded soon.

He said he would soon declare the dates for the next elections if the two MDC formations continued to reject proposed Zanu PF amendments to the Copac draft constitution.

“If they continue to dilly dally, I will tell them that enough is enough and proceed to call for elections,” he said. “No one is going to be ambushed. I will declare the dates sooner or later.”

Mugabe said if the two MDCs wanted polls to be held on the basis of a new constitution, they have to agree to the Zanu PF amendments as a matter of urgency.

He said the Welshman Ncube-led MDC was particularly afraid that holding elections would spell an end to the party.

“We included some partners in the GNU, but they (MDC) were thoroughly rejected by the electorate,” he said.

“They dread elections because they know they will bury them forever.”

Vice-President John Nkomo was not present with speculation he is “under the weather.”

Unusually, Mugabe made no mention of Nkomo’s whereabouts.

The conference, being held at the recently constructed Gweru Convention Centre, was attended by thousands of people, among them regional liberation parties, diplomats and service chiefs.