Gono claims escaped arrest in December

Gono claims escaped arrest in December

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By Torby Chimhashu

ZIMBABWE’S central bank governor has sensationally claimed that political rivals within the ruling Zanu PF party hatched a plan to have him arrested during his vacation in December on allegations he helped a private firm siphon Z$21 trillion from the national fiscus.

Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor Gideon Gono said he had been vindicated by a court ruling last week which absolved the central bank of any impropriety in releasing $21 trillion to a local company which had promised to exchange it for scarce foreign currency.

The RBZ wanted to secure foreign currency for the purchase of agricultural equipment under a government scheme to help farmers.

"Those in positions of influence and authority wanted me arrested. They thought my arrest would finish me off and they hoped I would pale into insignificance,” Gono told New Zimbabwe.com in an exclusive interview on Sunday.

"Luckily for me, there was someone sober in the police who felt they had to give the court case a chance. But my enemies were already seeing me in prison garb. The truth has now come out for all to see.

"I have been vindicated but I am pained that even journalists joined this grand scheme to have me arrested on allegations raised in court by a prosecutor.”

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor broke his silence three days after a Harare magistrate cleared him of releasing Z$21 trillion to Flatwater Investments improperly, hardly a month after the same court accused the central bank of raiding the fiscus for the benefit the same firm.

In a ruling which appeared like an apology to Gono, Harare Magistrate Mishrod Guvamombe said the state had erroneously applied for an order seeking the arrest of the RBZ officials, yet the facts later presented in court showed the central bank had acted above board in its dealings with Flatwater Investments.

Said Guvamombe: "An erroneous impression was earlier created that trillions of dollars were dished out under unclear circumstances by the central bank to undeserving people, and that was Flatwater. It was clearly proved by the state that there was a contract between Flatwater and the RBZ.”

The ruling flew in the face of an unprecedented attack on Gono by prosecutor Tawanda Zvekare who accused the central bank of releasing the money to Flatwater Investments with "nothing, totally nothing" in documentation. He intimated that a verbal agreement between the RBZ and Flatwater could have been made in a beer hall or a nightclub.

Zvekare charged Gono had entered into a verbal agreement with Flatwater Investments proprietors - Tazviwana Chivaviro and Nigel Marozhe - who were sentenced last week by Guvamombe for prejudicing the state.

But Gono was unforgiving to the prosecutor, claiming that he had swapped roles for a tormentor and persecutor.

Said Gono: "There was no coincidence that all these inflammatory articles by the media and allegations of unethical and corrupt conduct by the governor came in January.

“This was a grand scheme by my enemies who again last year during my vacation came up with the story that I had used the taxpayers’ money to buy a Mercedes Brabus. Everyone knows how that story collapsed upon my return from leave.

"While I don't contest court decisions, I defend myself to win over malice. Reckless statements such as those made by the prosecutor do not help anyone. People begin to lose confidence in the justice delivery system."

The RBZ chief has had a love and hate relationship with some senior ruling party officials who accuse him of harbouring presidential ambitions. In turn, Gono says the officials are “cash barons” conducting illegal activities which are undermining the country’s economy.

Gono has repeatedly quashed stories linking him to the Zanu PF succession battle which appears to have taken a different direction since the announcement by former Finance Minister Simba Makoni that he will contest President Robert Mugabe in next month elections.

Makoni is reportedly backed by a faction belonging to retired army general Solomon Mujuru who has previously shown his disdain towards Gono and his policies.
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