HARARE – Temba Mliswa, a former Norton legislator, believes the US$7.7 million presidential goat scheme scandal involving Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu is being driven by politics rather than the law.
The outspoken politician has claimed that the decision to broadcast the case live confirmed his suspicion of a “third hand” controlling the narrative. Mliswa argued that Chimombe should have been granted bail long ago, as he’s not directly linked to the case.
“I didn’t want to comment on the Chimombe and Mpofu case, but the latest revelations that the case will be broadcasted live has confirmed my suspicions that there is a third hand behind.
“The case is more political than legal as all vestiges of the latter have fallen away,” Mliswa posted on his X handle on Sunday.
“The theatrics are the efforts of a hidden hand making a statement of power. The basic facts of the case itself would allow for Chimombe to be given bail long back as he has nothing to do with the case. It’s not his company he was never part of the negotiations for the goat deal.
“Yet the hidden hand seeks to flex its power and flaunt its extravagant leverage in Zanu-PF. We all know who the third hand is, but time is our master. An ex-convict can only survive for so long, even with all the money to silence and buy support.”
Mliswa’s claim that the “third hand” is an “ex-convict” suggests that controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo is behind the arrest of Chimombe and Mpofu.
Chimombe and Mpofu’s detention coincided with the emergence of incriminating voice notes featuring Chivayo discussing a massive US$100 million Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) tender. The roots of their dispute lay in payment disagreements, which prompted the leak.
Although their arrest was not a direct result of the ZEC scandal, they faced allegations related to the presidential goat scheme (US$7.7 million) and street lights tender (US$9.2 million).
But Mliswa has drawn parallels with his own experience under ZRP Commissioner Augustine Chihuri’s regime, where he claimed he faced relentless persecution. He warned those abusing power that their actions would ultimately catch up with them.
Mliswa has questioned the selective attention given to this case, citing larger corruption cases like the Sandura Commission being kept under wraps.
“Yet even bigger corruption cases, like the Sandura Commission, have been held away from the limelight. It’s very sad how a whole system can be corrupted and abused to pander to the whims of a monied person,” Mliswa said.
Chivayo, whose source of wealth is controversial, recently mocked his former associates calling them “fraudsters” and “idiots”. The businessman has donated millions worth of vehicles to his church and musicians of his choice and members of Zanu-PF.
The ex-convict, together with his company Intratrek Zimbabwe (Private) Limited, were acquitted of misappropriating US$5,6 million for the abortive 100MW Gwanda Solar Project.
