Jonathan Moyo blew $1m at trade fair alone — Report

By Tatenda Dewa | Harare Bureau

As more details on the alleged looting of the Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund (ZIMDEF), Jonathan Moyo’s ministry reportedly used close to $1 million at the 2016 Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Bulawayo.

The figure is considered too high and the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) is probing the questionable expenditure.

In 2015, ZIMDEF spent only $22,745 at the fair, but the figure jumped to a whopping $947,463 this year, a difference of more than $900,000, according to ZACC.

The ZIMDEF breakdown of expenses at the 2016 fair indicates numerous loopholes.

It shows that AB Communications, a media outfit that ran adverts on the Higher and Tertiary Education ministry that Moyo heads and under which ZIMDEF falls, was paid $482,149.

However, AB Communications has since revealed that it only received $12,000 for advertising.

A staggering $127,000 went towards purported stand renovations while preparations for the exhibition gobbled close to $200,000.

Space for the ZITF showcase cost $28,876, according to ZIMDEF, even though the fair charges an annual fee of only $4,000.

This yearly figure is understood to also cater for ZITF works on an exhibitor’s stand maintenance, but ZIMDEF claims $32,593 was used to the job.

This means that ZIMDEF paid around $61,000 for a job that ordinarily needs $4,000.

Outside the ZITF budget, ZIMDEF allegedly flouted expenditure regulations.

With Moyo’s nod, it allegedy bought ministry vehicles worth $200,000 in September 2015 despite an audit recommendation not to do so.

In June 2016, ZIMDEF further procured an $80,000 vehicle for Moyo’s deputy, Godfrey Gandawa.

Moyo also blew $3,000 during a meeting with Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko on 4 July this year.

Mphoko has been defending Moyo who ZACC separately wants arrested for looting $430,000 from ZIMDEF.

Moyo has admitted to the $430,000 allegations, but insists the money was properly used because it funded President Robert Mugabe’s birthday bash, Zanu PF rallies and donations to his constituency.

Some $3,200 was drawn from ZIMDEF to finance the funeral of Moyo’s daughter in November 2015 even though he also illegally obtained a $24,000 loan towards the same purpose. Nehanda Radio