HARARE, Zimbabwe — ZANU-PF lawmaker Energy Mutodi has been removed as chair of Parliament’s influential Portfolio Committee on Budget, Finance and Investment Promotion, days after he publicly accused Finance Secretary George Guvamatanga of corruption — allegations he later withdrew.
Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudhenda, who also chairs the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders (CSRO), informed Mutodi of the decision in an Oct. 7 letter, citing Standing Order 19.
“The CSRO has resolved to terminate your tenure as chairperson … with immediate effect. Consequently, all benefits and entitlements attendant upon the said role shall likewise be discontinued forthwith,” Mudhenda wrote in the notice, copied to the Government Chief Whip and the Clerk of Parliament.
The move follows a week-long controversy in which Mutodi, MP for Bikita South, alleged that Guvamatanga solicited multi-million-dollar kickbacks in government procurement. The former cabinet minister later retracted the claims, saying he could not substantiate them.
Mutodi’s ouster underscores growing tension between some ZANU-PF legislators and top Treasury officials as Zimbabwe’s government pursues tight fiscal controls amid an economic rebound.
Mutodi, a controversial figure in Zimbabwean politics and no stranger to public disputes, could not be reached immediately for comment. Guvamatanga has not publicly responded to the accusations or the retraction.
The CSRO has not yet named a replacement to lead the committee, which plays a crucial oversight role on national budgeting, revenue collection and investment policy.
Mutodi’s ouster is being interpreted by political analysts as a message from ZANU-PF leadership that public allegations against top technocrats — without evidence — will not be tolerated, particularly when they risk undermining investor confidence and Treasury reforms.
Parliament is expected is expected to formalize the appointment of a new committee chair in the coming days.
