The house was bought during the 2009-2013 coalition government.
During debate on the RBZ Debt Assumption Bill recently, Zanu (PF) Marondera East MP, Jeremiah Chiwetu claimed Tsvangirai had received the money that he used to buy the house which he occupied as prime minister.
In a statement, Tsvangirai’s spokesperson, Luke Tamborinyoka, denied his boss was involved in the alleged scam.
“The Zanu (PF) attempts to drag President Tsvangirai’s name into the controversial RBZ Debt Assumption Bill will not wash simply because he is not involved in any scam at all,” said Tamborinyoka.
“The allegations by Marondera East MP Jeremiah Chiwetu that the MDC leader used $3 million of RBZ funds to buy his Highlands house are not only preposterous but defamatory as well.
“This is a desperate attempt to equalise the doyen of the democratic struggle in Zimbabwe with those who benefitted from the quasi-fiscal activities of the RBZ that included the provision of tractors, scotch-carts and farming inputs,” added the spokesperson.
He said Tsvangirai never received money from the RBZ but “just about $1 million” as a loan from government to buy the house after raising a deposit of $400,000 on his own.
“President Tsvangirai is committed to servicing his own loan from government just as the State should also reimburse him $400 000 of personal funds that was used in buying this government property,” said Tamborinyoka.
Before moving into the house—which the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) reportedly wants him to vacate—Tsvangirai conducted government business from his Strathaven family home..
“President Tsvangirai supports the position of the MDC MPs in parliament that anyone who owes the RBZ should pay back so that we do not burden innocent Zimbabweans with debts they know nothing about.
Whoever owes the RBZ should pay. If there was anyone who benefitted from the RBZ funds, then they must pay back and not saddle innocent Zimbabweans who are surviving on less than $1 a day and struggling to make ends meet,” said Tamborinyoka.
Post published in: News