HARARE – The Zanu-PF legislator for Bikita South, Energy Mutodi, has been dismissed from his position as Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Budget, Finance and Investment Promotion.
This comes a few days after he accused Finance Ministry Permanent Secretary George Guvamatanga of soliciting kickbacks ranging from five to ten percent from contractors, ministries, and government departments in exchange for releasing allocated funds.
Mutodi’s removal has now been confirmed via an official letter dated 7 October 2025, signed by the Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda who is also the chairperson of the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders (CSRO).
The letter stated that Mutodi’s tenure was being terminated with immediate effect, in accordance with Standing Order No. 19 of the National Assembly.
“This serves to notify you that pursuant to Standing Order No. 19 of the National Assembly, the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders has resolved to terminate your tenure as Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Budget, Finance and Investment Promotion with immediate effect,” read part of the correspondence.
The letter also noted that all benefits and entitlements associated with the position had been discontinued. Copies of the letter were also sent to Zanu-PF Chief Whip, Pupurai Togarepi, and Clerk of Parliament, Kennedy Chokuda.
Mutodi’s removal follows recent public statements in which he accused senior government officials of corruption, specifically naming the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, George Guvamatanga.
His remarks, which were widely circulated on social media, drew controversy within the ruling Zanu-PF party and the government.
On Wednesday, Mutodi alleged that the road construction company Bitumen was compelled to pay US$200,000 for every US$2 million in weekly payments approved by Guvamatanga.
Mutodi also claimed that Parliament had been denied funding after refusing to pay the alleged bribes.
According to Mutodi, the former Barclays Bank CEO has amassed wealth exceeding US$1 billion, owning more than 5,000 dairy cattle, several mansions, and luxury assets, all while serving as a public official.
Mutodi later issued a statement retracting some of his allegations, saying he had resolved the matter amicably with the Finance Ministry official.
Former Finance Minister Tendai Biti said “the abrupt removal of Honourable Energy Mutodi as chair of parliament’s Budget and Finance Committee is an abject unconstitutional overreach by a desperate canterkarous cartel that has captured the State and will do everything legally and extra legally to perpetuate its vice like grip on the public coffers of this country.”
“The issue of George Tongesai Guvamatanga and the alleged bribes he is demanding is a matter in the public domain and requires parliamentary scrutiny.
“The issue of direct payments being made directly by Treasury to suppliers oblivious of line Ministries , Departments and Agencies has been captured in the Auditor General’s Reports,” Biti added.
