Accessibility links

Breaking News

Zimbabwe's Health Minister Arrested Over Coronavirus Shady Deal


Zimbabwe's new health minister, Obadiah Moyo.
Zimbabwe's new health minister, Obadiah Moyo.

Zimbabwe’s Health Minister, Obadiah Moyo, has been arrested over a shady COVID-19 deal.

According to the state-controlled Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, Moyo was arrested Friday and is likely to appear in court Saturday to face charges of abuse of office.

The broadcaster quoted the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission as saying Moyo is detained at Rhodesville Police Station.

ZACC spokesperson, John Makamure, told the broadcaster that Moyo “will likely appear in court tomorrow (Saturday).”

The minister allegedly sanctioned the purchase of COVID-19 kits without following state tender regulations. ZACC is allegedly tying his arrest to Delish Nguwaya of Drax International, a company that was hired to purchase the kits worth millions of dollars. Nguwaya is in remand prison facing charges of corruption.

Police spokesperson Paul Nyathi could not be reached Friday night for comment as he was not responding to calls on his mobile phone. But sources in the police, said Moyo is expected to also face corruption charges.

The government, through the Ministry of Health and National Pharmaceutical Company (NatPharm), entered into a $60 million contract with Drax International for the supply of COVID-19 materials.

Some NatPharm directors have been arrested over the shady deal. Nguwaya is said to have links with the first family. President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government has distanced the president and his family from Nguwaya.

XS
SM
MD
LG