WOMEN’S Affairs minister Monica Mutsvangwa and Zanu PF spokesman Christopher Mutsvangwa’s son, Neville, yesterday spent another night in prison for allegedly dealing in illegal foreign currency trading.
Neville was picked up on Wednesday afternoon by detectives from the Criminal Investigation Department’s Commercial Crimes Division after he appeared to post on his WhatsApp status the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) black market rate of 18,5 against the United States Dollar.
The ZiG was introduced recently to replace the Zimbabwe dollar that had been rendered worthless by inflation.
Neville’s arrest comes as government has launched a crackdown on illegal currency changers in a move aimed at protecting the ZiG. Dozens of money changers have since been arrested for violating the Exchange Control Act, which prohibits illegal monetary dealings and attracts a 10-year jail sentence.
Police spokesperson Paul Nyathi yesterday confirmed Neville’s arrest saying he wouldappear in court today.
"The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of Neville Sunungurai Mutsvangwa (44), Elias Majachani (45) and Simbarashe Tichingana (38) for contravening section 14 (1) of the Bank Use Promotion and Suppression of Money Laundering Act, Chapter 24:24," Nyathi said. "The trio is expected to appear in court on 10 May 2024."
However his mother, Monica, has purportedly charged that her son was innocent and a victim of underhand politics.
“It’s definitely political victimisation because my son doesn’t trade in foreign currency; he doesn’t trade in ZiG so I don’t know what it is and why it had to wait for me to be out of the country. It appears it was timed to coincide with my absence,” a voice purported to be Monica’s is heard saying in an audio.
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Repeated efforts to obtain a comment from the Mutsvangwas were fruitless.
Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga has also issued chilling threats against money changers, most of whom are believed to be runners for top government and Zanu PF officials.
Neville is not new to controversy after previously being accused of undermining government policy by selling Starlink units in Zimbabwe, despite authorities warning that the satellite internet service was not authorised to operate in the country.
His father, Mutsavangwa was recently fired by President Emmerson Mnangagwa over alleged insubordination, triggering wild celebrations by the former liberation war fighters.
