Report by Takunda Maodza
HARARE – Businessman Mutumwa Mawere appears to have joined South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) with indications he contested for a position in the lower ranks of the party last year.
Mawere has been living in South Africa for some years now.
Unconfirmed reports indicated that Mawere was nominated and contested for a position in the lower ranks of the ANC last year. This is happening at a time when Mawere is being linked to a newly formed political party in the country — the United Movement for Democracy (UMD).
Mawere, however, disassociated himself from the party in an interview with The Herald from South Africa on Wednesday. He grudgingly confirmed joining the ANC. Asked to comment on joining the President Jacob Zuma-led party, Mawere said he was nominated for a position in that party “by my branch here”.
“Yes, yes, I was nominated by the structures here, by my branch. It is a branch that I am chairman,” he said. Mawere would neither deny nor confirm running for an office in the ANC.
The business mogul, however, became evasive, describing The Herald’s interest in his political activities in South Africa as “irrelevant”. He, however, said he would contest for any position even when “nominated in England”. The businessman also confirmed being a South African citizen.
Mawere said he was comfortable discussing “bread and butter” issues surrounding the fate of Shabanie-Mashava Mines. He said: “When I came here I did not advertise. Why would you worry about me?” Mawere denied leading the UMD and professed ignorance over its existence.
Mawere is battling to regain control of the asbestos mines, which the Zanu PF regime seized from him under controversial circumstances a few years ago. The government claims it is trying to revive the mines through its mining vehicle — the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation. The Herald
