HARAREFormer – Minister of Mines and Mining Development Walter Chidhakwa has been arrested. He is at Rhodesville Police Station.
His arrest comes after reports that he was being investigated by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) for corruption and abuse of office. ZACC is believed to be investigating Walter Mzembi. Zacc sources told The Sunday Mail that there was reasonable suspicion the two illegally acquired money during their stints in Government.
Chidhakwa is believed to have colluded with former Secretary for Mines and Mining Development Professor Francis Gudyanga who corruptly received board fees and sitting allowances to the total of US$28 910 after dissolving the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe board in December 2013 and assuming the chairmanship until September 2016. This was in contravention of the MMCZ Act (Chapter 21:04) which says a board comprises at least six members and a maximum of 10.
Zacc was also reportedly investigating a case in which Chidhakwa allegedly used his influence to unlawfully grant tax exemption to a mining firm, which then made a hefty payment to an organisation linked to him. – Pindula
