Mugabes birthday gifts disappear

The gifts, which include 30 tonnes of sugar, an unknown amount of cash and various other presents, were supposed to be handed over to the ageing leader of Zanu (PF) party at his birthday bash in Bulawayo in February but two months down the line, the gifts are still missing. Mzembi could not be reached for a comment but Maluleke remained silent for a while before blaming poor network connection and switched off his mobile. Are you an auditor, I cant hear youphone later I hardly hear you, said Maluleke. A Zanu (PF) party source said party politburo member, Dzikamai Mavhaire, could also be involved and that the disappearance of the gifts was not the work of one man.

A lot of people managed to steal one or two things from the donations. We suspect that less than half of the resources donated found their way to the intended destination, said the source. Masvingo provincial chairman, Lovemore Matuke, confirmed the gifts had gone missing and said a serious investigation was underway. Matuke also confirmed that some “big fish” in the party could have been involved and said they would soon be asked to attend a disciplinary hearing. There was a lot of confusion when people went out to source donations for the 21st February movement. Some took everything they sourced. We are aware Triangle donated sugar but no one in the provincial executive knows what happened to it. Yes there are some big names that might include ministers, but it would be premature for us to name them now. We want the investigation to be over first, said Matuke.

Radio VOP was informed that Mzembi and Maluleke received the sugar and diverted it for their personal use. Mzembi and Maluleke collected the sugar but they kept it as a secret and used it. The two were once called by national fund raising chief executive officer Jaya to explain what happened to that sugar. More big names are likely to emerge if the investigation continues, said the source. Masvingo District Coordinating Committee (DCC) chairman, Xavier Magweva, has since been dragged to a provincial disciplinary hearing twice for allegedly looting 200 litres donated by Bikita Minerals. Magweva went away with 200 litres of diesel which was donated by Bikita Minerals. It is really embarrassing, said another source. However, Magweva said it was Mavhaire who abused the fuel.