Mugabe asked to forgive James Makamba

By Itai Mushekwe

HARARE – Self-exiled business magnate James Makamba might be dicing with death if his bid to come back to Zimbabwe backfires, a sympathetic ally of the businessman has exclusively disclosed to Nehanda Radio.

Makamba, a one-time Zanu PF central committee member, is reported to be packing his bags in anticipation of a return to Harare if the powers that be give him the greenlight.

However a Zanu PF politician, acting as a whistle-blower for the “benefit of my friend” has revealed that Makamba could literally be walking into a trap that might cost his life, because President Robert Mugabe is still breathing fire and brimstone over the entrepreneur’s alleged secret affair with Grace Mugabe.

The alleged affair with the First Lady, which set tongues wagging a decade ago is said to be the chief reason why Makamba skipped the country in fear for his life, as dreaded security service operatives had been set on him, with a mission to “do justice” for his transgressions.

“I hope he (Makamba) knows what he is doing,” said the Zanu PF official who worked extensively with him in the central committee. “There are people trying to mislead him, and he is better coming back home when Mugabe is no longer in power.

Makamba’s case is a special one, and exceptional for that matter according to the eyes of the establishment. A cardinal sin was committed, so they put it, and his story cannot be at par with the likes of ENG’s Gilbert Muponda or Nicholas Vingirai the former chief executive of Intermarket Financial Holdings.”

Muponda and Vingirai have both been freed by the courts, after having previously faced externalisation of foreign currency charges. Together with Makamba and William Nyemba, founder of Trust Bank, these businessmen found themselves at the receiving end of business purges by Zanu PF at the turn of the millennium, prompting them to go into hiding in foreign lands.

Homeboy Rescue

Information from business sources at hand, suggests that indigenisation minister, Saviour Kasukuwere is acting as Makamba’s point man in his home return bid.

Kasukuwere and Makamba both hail from Mt Darwin in Mashonaland Central. Kasukuwere, we are told was asked by Makamba to approach Vice President, Joice Mujuru on the matter although the minister seems to have fallen out with Mujuru, who ironically also comes from Mashonaland Central.

“Saviour passed on Makamba’s plea to be cleared to come back home, through minister Nicholas Goche, whom we understand is in the process of convincing the VP to make a case for Makamba’s return with Mugabe himself, because it all boils down to what Mugabe feels about the whole issue,” a business informant said.

“On Mujuru’s part Makamba’s return could come in handy, since her Zanu PF faction has been weakened. She needs people who can pour money into her aim for presidency. Defence minister, Emmerson Mnangagwa, seems to be leading her on the finance front, so she needs as many business allies as possible.

“Right now we can only talk of the likes of Ray Kaukonde and David Butau all of whom cannot compare to the stature, and business acumen of Makamba.”

Makamba sources say is keen to bank on Kasukuwere, to aid him wrestle control of Telecel Zimbabwe, which is still in the hands of foreigners.

A Russian Telecommunications group, Vimpelcom owns about 65% of Telecel in shareholding, while locals are coming to the table with a stake less than 40% through Empowerment Corporation (EC).

Telecel is a flagship business operation for Makamba, and there are reports the businessman wants to buy out Vimpelcom, through a secretive venture capital affair.

Leo Mugabe obstacle

The only thing standing in the way of Makamba, in so far as Telecel Zimbabwe is concerned is Mugabe’s nephew, Leo Mugabe, who is still fighting to grab the mobile phone company.

Leo is attempting to use his almost defunct company, Integrated Engineering Group (IEG) to muscle his way into the boardroom as chairman. However Mugabe’s wife, has come out with her guns blazing against Leo’s moves, instead promoting a dear friend, Jane Mutasa to become part owner of the firm.

Mutasa rose to fame during her days as boss of the Indigenous Business Women of Zimbabwe (IBWOZ), but was to later see her fortunes tumble for her alleged role in facilitating Makamba’s excursions with the First Lady, sources said.

“Leo is down but not out. As the president’s nephew he could still takeover Telecel. Unfortunately they are no longer on good talking terms with Mugabe. That is why we don’t get to hear of him a lot these days.

“Sabina Mugabe, his mother was a huge pillar for all his business ventures, now he has no backing at all. What complicates matters, is the fact that Grace is seeing to it that Leo does not come anywhere near her husband’s family estate, therefore she is determined to block any business ambitions from Leo.”

Winston Changara

Winston Changara, a loyal police bodyguard to Mugabe for many years our sources say, is the real cause of Makamba’s trouble.

Changara died in 2006 after a “short illness”, although his relatives suspect that he was in fact poisoned to his death for daring to open his mouth in exposing Grace Mugabe’s alleged affair with Makamba.

Mugabe is said to have “gone mad”, after receiving intelligence that Changara decided to remain mum about the alleged affair, deciding it would seem to protect Makamba who comes from his home area too.

“Changara knew a lot of stuff,” another source said. “Mugabe was mad at the fact that he decided to keep quiet about the evils that he saw, moreover the First Lady nailed him, telling her husband that she was afraid of Changara because of the many sexual advances he had made towards her.

“Although Changara tried to clear his name, it was of no use and it came too late. An impression of him being a pervert had already been painted, and you see the president could not leave his wife in the hands of such a person, although we all know it’s not true. He actually was very loyal, but you see women have a certain power and influence that cannot be explained.”

Changara died a bitter man, and to save face over his mysterious death, police commissioner general, Augustine Chihuri requested that the Zanu PF Politburo confer hero’s status on the former senior assistant commissioner.

Joy TV and Spar

Other motivating factors that have been cited for Makamba’s return, include the re-launch of Joy TV and his bid to become part franchise owner of the Spar supermarket brand in Zimbabwe.

Joy TV went on air for the first time in July 1997, following an agreement to lease ZBC’s TV2 white elephant channel. It offered a cross-section of programming including soaps such as “Sunset Beach” and BBC news bulletins, thereby making it a threat to the state broadcaster.

In May 2002, the government decided to shut the station down, which was Zimbabwe’s first and only private channel.

Before leaving Zimbabwe, Makamba had also diversified into retail, opening Blue Ridge Spar Supermarket in Mazowe officiated by the late VP Joseph Msika. The businessman had to borrow some $5 billion Zimbabwe dollars at the time, from the Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe (CBZ) to make his dream come true, but faced severe problems in repaying the loan.

The Spar franchise now appears to be in the hands of Ray Kaukonde, the Zanu PF Mashonaland East provincial chairman. Kaukonde is now the proud owner of Zimbabwe’s biggest Spar supermarket at Harare’s Joina City, measuring 1500 cubic metres in floor area.

Makamba’s absence from home has also seen him failing to pitch up for the funeral of his daughter, Chiyedza Makamba, who died in a tragic road accident along the Harare-Mutoko road in 2011.