Police dismiss corruption allegations against Chombo

By Tichaona Sibanda
22 February 2011

The combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) has reacted with fury to comments by the police that corruption allegations against Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo are ‘nothing but media hype.’

CHRA recently filed charges against Chombo, for fraudulently acquiring vast tracts of land in Harare. Instead of launching investigations against the minister police have indicated they want to question Simbarashe Moyo, the CHRA chairperson who filed the complaint.

‘Police left a note at our offices stating that I should report to Harare central police station for questioning. Obviously I did not do that for fear they will arrest me. This is intended to silence me,’ Moyo said. Police have also claimed the media has waged a vendetta against Chombo.

Moyo told SW Radio Africa on Tuesday that he personally submitted overwhelming evidence, pointing to the fact that Chombo converted vast tracks of land within the city of Harare for personal use.

Politicians and ordinary Zimbabweans had been wondering just how the ZANU PF minister amassed such a ‘spectacular’ fortune and property portfolio in the last decade, while earning a modest civil servant’ salary.

Chombo’s riches were revealed in damning court documents, after his wife of 25 years Marian, filed for a hefty divorce pay-out last year.

Court documents revealed Chombo has tentacles in virtually all sectors of the economy. They include interests in several farms, mines, hunting safari lodges in Chiredzi, Hwange, Magunje and Chirundu, as well as properties in South Africa. Local properties include 75 residential and commercial stands, plus 14 houses and 5 flats, all dotted around the country. And there are also 15 vehicles.

The CHRA chairperson said; ‘We have long seen that ZANU PF ministers appear virtually unaccountable. When you belong to ZANU PF and are corrupt you get protection from the police. In fact you are above the law and don’t face problems with the police.

‘But when you’re corrupt and belong to the opposition, you will be exposed to the full wrath of the law,’ Moyo added.