EMMERSON Mnangagwa Jnr has scoffed at recent media reports implicating him in a list of top ZANU PF officials, influential individuals and opposition leaders who allegedly abused office to acquire loans without collateral and owe CBZ bank a cumulative of at least US$160 million accrued between 2010 and 2014.
Mnangagwa Jnr stated in no uncertain terms that he currently does not hold a CBZ bank account and has never held such in his lifetime.
“ I do not currently hold, nor have I ever held, an account with the Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe, neither have I ever transacted with them,” said Mnangagwa Jnr in a statement released Thursday night.
He also denied having had any involvement with a company called Spartan Investments as alleged and he said he is fully behind the work of the rejuvenated Zimbabwe Anti Corruption Commision (ZACC) and is a champion of anti-corruption.
“In recent days, there have been a number of serious allegations made against me in a range of publications and I would therefore like to make the following facts clear.
“ I have no involvement, nor have I ever had any involvement, with a company called Spartan Investments and I fully support the President’s anti-corruption efforts and the work of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC). I have had absolutely no involvement in any efforts to influence or circumvent its workings, and at no time have given any instructions to anyone in ZANU-PF or otherwise regarding the so-called ‘corruption list’,” he said.
He said his political opponents were making a spirited effort to discredit him and hijack the current economic situation to make personal political mileage.
“The timing of these unfounded attacks should surprise nobody. Our beloved country is in a difficult economic situation and there is much suffering. Political opponents have chosen this time to launch a full-fronted campaign against me as part of an effort to turn public opinion against the President and his reforms,” he said.
He added that in an era of fake news and alternative facts , media outlets must shun falsehoods and conduct truth-checks before publishing to maintain the integrity of the Fourth Estate.
Mnangagwa Jnr has managed to stay away from drama like his ‘counterparts’ former president Robert Mugabe’s sons Chatunga and Robert Jnr whose extravagance attracted attention from international media houses.
