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Cde Mujuru

Harare Bureau
Police were on Thursday issued with warrants by the courts to search companies linked to former Vice President Joice Mujuru as investigations into allegations of her corruption and abuse of office intensify. Mujuru was recently fired from government for behaviour inconsistent with the discharge of her duties.

Sources yesterday said police made the application to look into Cde Mujuru’s companies and her other assets before provincial magistrate Mr Vakai Chikwekwe in his chambers and their request was granted.

Chief magistrate Mishrod Guvamombe couldn’t be reached for comment, but a highly placed source at the Harare Magistrate Courts said:

“It’s true that police sought a search warrant against companies allegedly linked to former Vice President Joice Mujuru yesterday (Thursday) before the provincial magistrate at Harare magistrate courts”.

Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba’s mobile phone went unanswered. The granting of the search warrants followed Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri’s warning that they will investigate all cases of corruption without fear or favour as directed by President Mugabe during the Zanu-PF 6th National People’s Congress early this month.

“In the same vein, let me assure the nation that the Zimbabwe Republic Police shall leave no stone unturned in bringing all perpetrators of corruption to book,” he said.

“This stance is in line with the organisation’s constitutional mandate and more importantly with His Excellency the President of Zimbabwe’s sentiments during the official opening of the 6th Zanu-PF National People’s Congress when he said those engaged in corruption will be prosecuted,” he said.

President Mugabe was speaking on the background of a host of corruption allegations which had been levelled against Cde Mujuru and her cabal who also sought to unconstitutionally unseat President Mugabe.

Officially opening the congress, President Mugabe warned that all those involved in corruption would be prosecuted  regardless of their positions in society and government.

Since then, seven ministers and one deputy have been dismissed from government for charges that include reneging on their duties and pursuing factional politics.

These are Didymus Mutasa (Presidential Affairs), Webster Shamu (Information Communication Technologies, Postal and Courier Services), Francis Nhema (Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment), Olivia Muchena (Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development), Dzikamai Mavhaire (Energy and Power Development), Nicholas Goche (Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare), Simbaneuta Mudarikwa (Minister of State for Mashonaland East Province) and Munacho Mutezo (Deputy Minister Energy and Power Development).

Our Harare Bureau is reliably informed that a number of officials who worked with the ex-VP have been put on forced leave as investigations into her illegal deals gather momentum.

Mujuru is accused of extorting shareholding in companies, demanding 10 percent bribes, illicit dealings in diamonds and gold, attempting to defeat the course of justice, extorting investors, undermining the authority of President Mugabe and seeking to depose the President through unconstitutional means. The police are still gathering evidence on the allegations and the cases are being handled by the Criminal Investigations Department.

First Lady Cde Grace Mugabe exposed Mujuru during her meet the people rallies in October when she brought to the fore her secret deals that smacked of corruption.

The former VP has avoided giving direct responses to the allegations.

Ncube was later enticed to buy an Amarok vehicle from Tirivanhu Mudariki, a business associate of Mujuru, but was stopped by police who advised her that the vehicle had been reported as stolen.

Mujuru was also accused of covering up a fatal accident involving her daughter Chipo Mujuru-Makoni in December 2012.

The accident claimed two lives.