Zanu-PF condemns Chivayo's 'abuse' of Mnangagwa's ...

Zanu-PF condemns Chivayo's 'abuse' of Mnangagwa's name

Staff Reporter

The Zanu-PF Youth League has issued a scathing statement condemning businessman Wicknell Chivayo for allegedly using President Emmerson Mnangagwa's name to further his own interests.

The league's secretary for information and publicity, Phillipa Mukoko, said Chivayo's claims of being close to the President were "unfortunate and regrettable".

"The Youth League appreciates donations that Mr Chivayo has been giving to the members of our society, but we will not sit and watch the name of our most revered leader being tarnished by such malcontents for their own self-aggrandizement," Mukoko said.

The Youth League has called on Chivayo to desist from using the President's name and has urged the relevant authorities to investigate the matter.

"We sternly warn him to abstain from abusing Party and Government structures for his brute personal agenda," Mukoko said.

Chivayo had earlier during the day, however, denied any wrongdoing and dismissed the allegations as "false and deliberately fabricated".

In a statement, Chivayo said he was a "law-abiding citizen and businessman of international repute who upholds the highest level of integrity in all my business transactions".

"I categorically deny having any business relationship with Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu or concluding any dealings with them," Chivayo said.

"I further place on record that I have not, whether personally or through any of my companies, been a party to a contract with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, Department of Immigration or the Zimbabwe Republic Police as insinuated in the manufactured voice messages."

Chivayo also apologised to President Mnangagwa, the First Lady, and any other government officials who may have been affected by the allegations.

"I hereby express my deep regret and profound apology to the esteemed office of H.E. President E.D. Mnangagwa, the First Lady, the First Family, and any office or public official that these fake voice messages may have adversely affected or drawn into disrepute," he said.

Chivayo has also threatened to take legal action against Chimombe and Mpofu, whom he accuses of extortion and fraud.

"I am fully prepared for any litigation or other consequence arising from demands by these two which are entirely premised on non-existent, fallacious, unlawful, and extortionate grounds," he said.