HARARE – Former Norton legislator Temba Mliswa has exposed corruption allegations implicating Minister of Mashonaland West Marian Chombo and high-ranking police officials in Mashonaland West Province, with accusations ranging from illicit land deals reportedly orchestrated by the Minister to the devastating plunder of wildlife conservancies.
In doing these activities, Mliswa said they claim to have been sent by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, “boasting that nothing can be done to them”.
Mliswa has called for immediate investigation by law enforcement and anti-corruption bodies.
He specifically named Chombo, and the Provincial Commanding Officer, Commissioner Nyazema, alleging a “corrupt connivance” between them. Mliswa claimed that these individuals are acting with impunity, boasting that they are untouchable.
He claimed that Chombo allegedly reversed previously made land allocations in a “shady deal,” reallocating the land to individuals who paid her money.
“A case in point, a land program in Mash West in which people had been allocated was reversed in a shady deal involving Hon Chombo. She allegedly withdrew the stated names and allocated those who paid her money. All this has documentary support as I always get evidence first.
“I urge the Minister of Land (Anxious) Masuka to look into this issue lest his own name be dragged unknowingly by these shady name-droppers.
“The Officer Commanding is also involved in a mining syndicate where they operate with impunity employing name-dropping for protection,” Mliswa said.
Mliswa said Chombo and her alleged associates allegedly claim to be acting on the authority of the “highest office” and are reportedly destroying the conservancy environment with vehicles brought into the area.
This activity is said to be disturbing wildlife and an existing conservancy project.
Mliswa questioned how such activities can be justified, referencing the previous blocking of Afrochine’s mining grant in Mavuradona Game Park and Zimparks’ opposition to mining in Hwange National Park due to environmental concerns.
The current alleged syndicate is accused of “disemboweling the wildlife habitat” and using their positions to avoid scrutiny.
He further alleged that the syndicate has approached the Hurungwe Rural District Council Chief Executive Officer, Luke Kalavina, claiming to be acting on the President’s authority.
Mliswa expressed doubt that the President would sanction such actions and called for an investigation into this claim.
“Recently Zimparks also opposed a mining venture in Hwange National Park as it had dire consequences for wildlife. It’s the same scenario here with this syndicate. They are literally disemboweling the wildlife habitat and employing the power of their offices to avoid scrutiny.
“Who allows for such profligate destruction of the wildlife? They have even gone to the Hurungwe RDC Chief Executive Officer Luke Kalavina saying they are coming from the President’s office. We need to get to the bottom of that and know the truth.
“Knowing the President, he can’t sanction such actions. The syndicate involved has some Provincial big names such as Minister Chombo, District Commanding Officer Superintendent Kezias Karuru, Provincial Commanding Officer Commissioner T Nyazema,” Mliswa stated.
