Ex-minister’s accounts frozen

HARARE: The Zimbabwean government has frozen bank accounts belonging to exiled former ministers Saviour Kasukuwere and Jonathan Moyo.

Moyo and Kasukuwere flew out of the country on the day former President Robert Mugabe resigned on November 21 after a military takeover during an operation codenamed “Operation Restore Legacy”, where the military said it was targeting criminals around Mugabe.

A statement released by the Reserve Bank did not disclose the reasons for the freeze.

Part of the apex bank statement sent out to financial institutions read: “You are directed to identify and immediately freeze: (i) all accounts in the name of the abovenamed individuals; and (ii) any accounts in which the said individuals are directors or have a known beneficial interest.”

The statement was titled: Directive to all financial institutions: Freezing of accounts re: Prof Jonathan Moyo and Mr Saviour Kasukuwere (former government ministers).

It further read: “You are further directed to submit, in writing, a return to the unit, by no later than December 8, 2017, listing and giving particulars (including balances) of all the accounts that you would have identified and frozen in terms of this directive.

“Where you have not identified any relevant account, you shall, nevertheless submit a nil return.” – ANA