Mugabe’s minister accused of being a CIO operative

By Tichaona Sibanda
14 November 2006

Industry and International Trade minister Obert Mpofu is facing allegations that he is a Central Intelligence Organisation operative spying on his fellow senior government officials.

Mpofu, one of the first Zapu officials to defect to Zanu (PF) in the early 1980’s, has long been viewed with suspicion dating back to the days before he switched allegiances. His alleged undercover operations are believed to have started during the first decade of Independence when he reportedly leaked information to the press about the Willowgate scandal.

Our Bulawayo correspondent Themba Nkosi, describes Mpofu as Mugabe’s ‘blue eyed boy’ who has been a whistleblower in three high profile cases where several cabinet ministers and top government officials have lost their jobs.

‘It’s alleged Mpofu was the whistleblower in the Willowgate scandal. He brought the issue out by leaking vital information to the press. Secondly, he was the one who brought into the open the Tsholotsho declaration when he personally told Mugabe of the plot against Joyce Mujuru. Now it is the Ziscosteel looting,’ Nkosi said.

Mpofu has been accused before of being a spy but has categorically refused to answer such accusations. One thing is clear though, the former governor of Matebeleland North is ‘untouchable’ because of his close links to Mugabe.

‘He is the eyes and ears of Mugabe in the cabinet and because of that he is immune from being sacked. The attempt by both the MDC and Zanu (PF) legislators to impeach him because of the Ziscosteel saga is just a sheer waste of time. Even officials from the ruling party know he is a sell-out, so that’s why MPs from his own party want him out,’ added Nkosi.

Mugabe’s cabinet is made up of former serving soldiers, diplomats and intelligence officers. Home Affairs and Transport ministers Kembo Mohadi and Chris Mushowe are known to have worked for the CIO and probably still have links. But the likes of Mpofu still like to keep their cover though it has now become an open secret that he is working for the CIO.