HARARE – Controversial ZANU-PF legislator for Gokwe-Nembudziya Justice Mayor Wadyajena and four Cotton Company of Zimbabwe officials have been arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) for allegedly committing fraud and money laundering involving US$5 million.
ZACC announced their arrest in a brief statement on Tuesday.
“The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested Gokwe-Nembudziya legislator Justice Mayor Wadyajena, Cottco officials Pius Manamike, Maxmore Njanji and Fortunate Molai, and Pierpont Moncroix Director Chiedza Danha on fraud and money laundering charges involving USD$5million,” ZACC said, adding that the five are expected to appear in court this Wednesday.
ZACC did not disclose any further details relating to the matter.
However, the matter could be linked to recent investigations launched by the anti-graft body relating to stockpiles of cotton farming inputs which were recently found stashed at a Gokwe-Nembudziya warehouse linked to Wadyajena.
The raid was carried out by some ZACC officials who were accompanied by police.
Wadyajena chairs parliament’s portfolio committee on land and agriculture.
It is widely believed he could have abused his parliamentary post and Zanu PF links to gain influences within the parastatal leading to the alleged abuse of inputs that were meant for distribution to farmers.
Wadyajena is also a one-time close ally to President Emmerson Mnangagwa who once had a protracted public fight with the now exiled former minister and ex-Zanu PF political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere.
While Wadyajena often gave Kasukuwere a difficult time for alleged corruption when the former youth minister appeared before a committee he chaired to face grilling over misuse of funds under his ministry, it was widely believed the fights had all to do with Zanu PF’s succession wars at the time.
Kasukuwere was against a Mnangagwa take over as President.
The incumbent was a vice president at the time.
