Deputy information minister in detention over corruption allegations

By Violet Gonda

26 July 2006

Brighton Matonga, the Deputy Minister of Information is reported to be in police custody after he was arrested on Tuesday on allegations of corruption.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a journalist following the case said the arrest comes after the state acquired fresh evidence – a recording of Matonga allegedly soliciting money from an Asian businessman. This was in connection with a bribery scandal at the state-run Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO).

The website Newzimbabwe.com also reports that the police were looking for the Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo.

P olice spokesperson Wayne Bvudzijena refused to comment.

The journalist said sources believe Matonga’s arrest was sanctioned from the highest office and that the broader picture is he has been exposed as another corrupt official. Matonga, who is a former CEO of ZUPCO, was arrested in 2004 for the same charges but was acquitted for lack of evidence. Sources say the arrest and latest evidence now prove that he had originally lied in court when he testified.

The Asian businessman had claimed that Charles Nherera, the head of ZUPCO solicited a bribe from him worth thousands of US dollars in August 2004 in return for a tender to supply new buses. Matonga is reported to have said in court that he was not aware of Nherera’s plans to solicit money from the Asian businessman.

But it has now transpired that the state has fresh evidence showing that Nherera met the Asian businessman along with the Matonga. It is alleged the tape in the possession of the Attorney General’s office is a recording of Brighton Matonga soliciting money.

The AG Sobuza Gula-Ndebele was in a meeting when contacted for comment.