Zim’s big spenders lie low

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s clampdown on corruption – particularly in government and the business sector – has seen several public figures either briefly arrested‚ released on remand or summoned by the police for questioning.

But for many‚ this is just a show.

Last week, the Presidential Powers Regulations 2018‚ which empower the government to seize assets of people who fail to disclose the source of their wealth‚ were gazetted.

In no time‚ Harare socialite Genius “Ginimbi” Kadungure‚ 34‚ who has a penchant for supercars and heavy spending in Africa’s richest square mile – Sandton – was nabbed for tax evasion over a period covering nine years. It is alleged that he owes the taxman at least US$22m (R310m).

Kadungure – who at one time was the only person in Southern Africa to own a 2016 Rolls-Royce Wraith – mocked fellow socialite-cum-tenderpreneur Wicknell Chivayo on national radio for driving a “car for civil servants” when he boasted about driving the then latest S-Class Mercedes-Benz.

Chivayo‚ 39‚ has also been in and out of court and spent time in remand prison over allegations of corruptly receiving US$5m (R70m) from the government-owned Zimbabwe Power Company and being awarded a US$200‚000 (R2.8bn) tender illegally.

Known for running alcohol tabs that went well into the thousands‚ before Mnangagwa came into power‚ the who’s who of the boys’ club were only rivalled by the Mugabe boys‚ Chatunga‚ Robert and Russell.

With the trio keeping a low profile‚ spending most of their time in South Africa‚ some tenderpreneurs have also fled Zimbabwe, fearing the arrests now under way.

Many of the “hustlers” whose lifestyles attract probes are allegedly involved in smuggling fuel‚ gas and minerals.

Some also allegedly received tenders for the government controversially.

Soon after Operation Restore Legacy in November 2017, many who had benefited from being aligned to the former first family or its auxiliaries switched allegiance to those close to the new order under Mnangagwa. –