Four MPs Cleared Of Bribery Allegations
Four members of Parliament, Temba Mliswa (Independent), Prince Dubeko Sibanda (MDC), Anele Ndebele (MDC), and Leonard Chikomba (Zanu PF), have been cleared of bribery allegations.
The four were accused of soliciting for a US$400 000 bribe from a Bulawayo businessman, James Goddard after they allegedly promised him lucrative contracts with Hwange Colliery Company Limited (HCCL).
However, in his report tabled before the National Assembly, Parliament’s privileges committee chairperson Fortune Charumbira absolved the MPs, who were members of the mines portfolio committee, of corruption charges. Part of the report read:
The privileges committee is of the view that the conduct of the four MPs does not constitute a breach of privileges.
However, the committee is of the view that measures should be undertaken to ensure MPs are not involved in activities, which are inconsistent with parliamentary decorum.
The Privileges Committee also reported that controversial Kwekwe businessman Shepherd Tundiya was the architect of the entire bribery allegations, and he arranged the meetings between Goddard and management at HCCL, and also held meetings with the MPs, excluding Mliswa.
Tundiya also misrepresented himself as an official in the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) who was sent by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to sort out the mess at HCCL.
