THE opposition PDP party on Tuesday blasted the controversial awarding of the $200 million Dema Diesel Power Station tender to Bona Mugabe’s brother-in-law without going through formal tender awarding processes.
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Derrick Chikore, brother to Simba Chikore who married the first family’s only daughter, was granted the multi-million-dollar project together with Sakunda Holdings by the Zimbabwe Power Company. Derrick is effectively fronting for Simba and Bona.
In a statement, Tendai Biti’s party accused President Robert Mugabe of practising nepotism.
PDP said the lucrative project, which is under the direct supervision of the Office of the President and Cabinet, had “all the hallmarks of a corrupt arrangement”.
“As PDP, we directly hold Mugabe guilt of nepotism and we denounce such cronyism when the country’s economy is struggling,” said the party.
“It is clear that Mugabe is behind the illegal awarding of the tender to Derrick Chikore in order for his in-laws to join the looting gravy train.”
The fledgling opposition said it was apparent Derrick was being used as a front to protect Simba and Bona’s financial interests.
Said PDP, “However, it is worrying that instead of benefitting the people better access and affordability to power, the Dema power project will instead see the already suffering majority being charged more in electricity charges.”
The Zimbabwe Power Company, is under fire for awarding a $400 million deal to flamboyant businessman Wicknell Chivayo’s Intratek.
The fraud convict recently posted a picture on his Facebook page sharing a meal in Dubai with the First Lady Grace Mugabe and her son Robert Junior.
“We are further concerned with the links that the First Family has with dubious characters such as Wicknell Chivayo,” said PDP.
Chivayo is also embroiled in another ZPC scam in which he is being probed for unprocedurally receiving a down payment of $5 million for pre-commencement works on the $200 million, 100 megawatt Gwanda solar power project without a performance guarantee.
“As PDP, we find it not normal for Mugabe and his wife to be involved in such murky deals and interacting with shady characters such as Chivayo at a time when reports of high level corruption are on the increase,” said PDP.
“We also find it strange that with the high level of corruption taking place in government and parastatals, the government through the permanent secretary of information, media and broadcasting is trying to block the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) from investigating them.
“It is therefore clear that despite Zanu PF leaders appearing in public and in the media condemning all forms of corruption, they are instead indicating left but turning right.”
