Kereke-Gono feud continues

The legal wrangle pitting former advisor to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor, Dr Munyaradzi Kereke, his former boss Dr Gideon Gono and the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission continues. 

This follows a directive from Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku ordering the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission to file its response to Dr Kereke’s application.

The latest development follows a letter written by Tendai Biti who represents Dr Gono dated the 25th of March 2014 in which he notified the Chief Registrar Mr Walter Chikwanha that he awaited the court’s directive following the barring of Dr Kereke from being heard by the court for filing a response after the prescribed period.

In response to the formal request for the court’s direction, the Chief Registrar advised Biti that the matter is now before Chief Justice Chidyausiku who directed that the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission must file its heads of argument by the 31st of March 2014 before he issues further directions.

Kereke filed a Constitutional Court application seeking to push the anti-graft body to investigate Dr Gono on graft charges allegedly committed when he was at the helm of the central bank.

He also accuses former Finance Minister Tendai Biti of abusing the country’s funds accessed from the International Monetary Fund drawing rights with Gono’s blessings.

He also says the two have a criminal case to answer, and alleges that Dr Gono siphoned millions of dollars from the central bank for personal use, including the purchase of real estate properties.

He told the court that the failure by the anti-graft commission to investigate allegations of abuse of office, corruption and theft was unconstitutional.

However, Gono accuses Kereke of being motivated by malice saying his allegations are baseless and void of proof while the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission say contrary to Kereke’s allegations that Gono bribed the commission it was Kereke who authorised payment of funds to the commission. ZBC