Gono donation queried
2010 07 03
http://www.timeslive.co.za/africa/article531566.ece/Gono-donation-queried
Jul 3, 2010 3:31 PM
Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono donated two Isuzu vehicles to a labour union aligned to Zanu-PF at the height of the country’s economic crisis.
CONTROVERSIAL: Governor Gideon Gono
This was revealed in a court case in which two deposed unionists are seeking to compel the Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions (ZFTU) to return the vehicles to them.
Alfred Makwarimba and Kenias Shamuyarira argue that the federation is enjoying the use of the vehicles acquired through a series of blunders and anomalies.
In a statement to police last year Mirirai Edson Chiremba, the bank’s director in the financial intelligence inspectorate evaluation and security division confirmed donating vehicles to the federation.
“I remember some time in September 2008, ZFTU wrote to the RBZ Governor, requesting assistance for the smooth operation of the union’s activities.
“In answer to this, the RBZ donated two brand-new Isuzu twin cabs, which were to be used to promote ZFTU’s efforts to advance worker welfare,” read part of Chiremba’s statement, which was recorded by Inspector Nhuta.
Chiremba said although the vehicles were received and signed for by Makwarimba and Shamuyarira, they were donated to the ZFTU as an organisation and not to individuals.
“The vehicles were donated to ZFTU as an organisation and not to Messrs Makwarimba and Shamuyarira as individuals.”
Besides donating the vehicles, the RBZ under Gono’s leadership doled out tractors, farm implements and loans to companies, individuals and “new” farmers sympathetic to Zanu-PF.
The donations and the central bank’s engagement in quasi-fiscal activities were largely blamed for plunging the country into the economic abyss.