VICE-PRESIDENT Constantino Chiwenga has taken a dig at super-rich individuals popularly known as mbingas who are flaunting unexplained wealth and gold mafias which are pillaging the country’s resources at the expenses of the masses.
Chiwenga, who was addressing mourners during the burial of Justin Mupanhanga at Heroes Acre yesterday, came short of naming the individuals.
But the crowd attending the burial chanted serial tenderpreneur Wicknell Chivayo’s name who has been flashing his wealth dishing out cars to several individuals.
Chiwenga said: “Our Vision 2030 is for all of us, not for those you refer to as mbingas who have grown tummies from unexplained wealth.”
He also referred to the super-rich as zvigananda a wartime phrase which means people who acquire wealth through devious ways.
Chiwenga rapped the pillaging of the country’s resources by a clique of individuals declaring that corruption must end.
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“Zimbabwe belongs to all of us. We must share its God-given resources equally, ensuring that no one, including the vulnerable, the widowed, or the orphaned, is marginalised or pushed aside in a ruthless pursuit of undeserved privileges. Corruption must end,” he said.
In 2023, Zimbabweans came face-to-face with the grant looting taking place in the country when an Al Jazeera’s investigative unit premiered the Gold Mafia documentary.
The investigation revealed the existence of well-organised smuggling gangs which exploit loopholes in mining regulations and bribe their way through border controls.
The Gold Mafia exposed the extensive corruption permeating the mining sector and beyond.
High-ranking officials, including military personnel and police, were implicated in aiding smuggling activities and turning a blind eye to illegal operations.
The documentary shed light on the intricate methods used to launder profits from illicit gold sales. This includes employing front companies, manipulating invoices and bribing bank officials.
The illicit gold trade is depicted as a major contributor to Zimbabwe’s economic woes. Millions of dollars are siphoned away from the country, depriving it of vital resources and enriching a select few.
The investigation extended beyond Zimbabwe, highlighting the role of South African banks and international refineries in facilitating the laundering of dirty money.
No one has been arrested after the expose'.
“During the liberation war, we were urged not to be greedy or selfish, not to engage in corruption or to be egocentric or narrow-minded and tribalistic,” Chiwenga said.
“We all pledged to create a shared future characterised by equal opportunity, where every Zimbabwean contributes and benefits equally.”
Chiwenga’s utterances came just a day after a section of war veterans led by Blessing Runesu Geza called on Mnangagwa to resign because he has allowed corruption to flourish under watch.
“It is clear to us that Mnangagwa has failed, he is not fit to run this country and his time to go is now,” Geza said.
“We ask him politely to let go, if he refuses to take heed of this advice, we have no option but to ask the people of Zimbabwe to deal with him in line with the Constitution.”