Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Budget, Finance, and Economic Development, Dr. Energy Mutodi, publicly accused Permanent Secretary for Finance, George Guvamatanga ("GG"), of operating a systemic corruption scheme involving millions of dollars in kickbacks. The allegations have been fiercely refuted by Tendai Chirau, ZANU-PF’s Deputy Secretary for National Security, who dismissed the claims as unsubstantiated and politically motivated.

Dr. Mutodi’s report to Parliament details allegations that Guvamatanga demands a 5 to 10% kickback on every payment processed through the Treasury. Mutodi claims the Permanent Secretary has amassed more than $1 billion, making him the country’s richest civil servant. According to Mutodi’s accusations, ministries, departments, and contractors that refuse to pay the mandated kickback have been denied budgeted funds for months.

“The Parliament of Zim has received agonizing reports that PermSec in the Ministry of Finance Mr George Guvamatanga is receiving 5-10% for every payment done by Treasury. GG as he is notoriously called has accumulated more than US$1 billion becoming the richest civil servant.,” Mutodi revealed.

Mutodi cited the case of the road contractor Bitumen, which he alleges was required to pay US$200,000 for every US$2,000,000 weekly payment authorized by Guvamatanga. Furthermore, the Parliament itself has reportedly struggled to operate over the past six months after being denied its budgeted funds by the Finance Permanent Secretary.

Highlighting a potential target for investigation, Dr. Mutodi pointed to Guvamatanga's massive wealth, noting that a civil servant earning less than $1,000 officially possesses over 5,000 dairy cattle, extensive dairy equipment, and several mansions, prompting the need for a lifestyle audit and a ZACC probe. Mutodi also alleged that Guvamatanga issued threats to send a "terror team" to deal with him upon learning of the Committee's intention to launch an audit.

The explosive allegations were immediately met with a vigorous defence of Mr. Guvamatanga and a counter-attack against Dr. Mutodi from ZANU-PF's Deputy Secretary for National Security, Tendai Chirau.

Chirau launched a critique of Mutodi’s credibility, referencing alleged past failures: "When I worked in the civil service several years ago, I recall many of my colleagues investing in a housing scheme owned by Energy Mutodi. The houses were never built, and most of those civil servants have never recovered from that scam."

Chirau suggested that Mutodi’s current accusations stem from personal vendetta and alleged extortion attempts. He stated that Mutodi had repeatedly tried to extort Mr. Guvamatanga and requested meetings at his farm, which the Permanent Secretary refused. Chirau concluded by stressing the legal imperative, asserting that "The burden of proof lies with the accuser. It is a shame that Mr. Mutodi continues to behave so dishonorably" by airing serious, unsubstantiated claims on social media.

“The challenge I have with the musician-cum-legislator is that his allegations are not based on official reports to a Parliamentary Committee but grapevine. It smacks of a sinister agenda. Mutodi is being an idiot in this instance,” Chirau added.