The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested a close ally of President Emmerson Mnangagwa for abuse of office, which allegedly resulted in government losing millions of dollars in shady deals.
The State claims in its court outline that Gumbo, who was minister of transport when the shady deals occurred, is facing charges of abuse of office involving $3.7 million.
Gumbo allegedly directed a quasi state-owned airline, Zimbabwe Airways, to use and renovate his sister’s house in Harare as it headquarters.
The charge sheet reads in part, “… The accused corruptly and single-handedly picked his sister Mavis Gumbo’s house whose address is Number 1436 Gletywin, Chishawasha Hills, as the headquarters for Zimbabwe Airways.”
Gumbo allegedly requested $1 million from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe for salaries of employees and Zimbabwe Airways rentals.
The state claims that he then directed that the money which was deposited into the Zimbabwe Airways central bank account be used to rent and renovate his sister’s house. “The accused caused Zimbabwe Airways to enter into a property lease agreement for the rental of Number 1436 Glentywin, Chishawasha Hills, thereby showing favour to his relative, Mavis Gumbo.”
Gumbo is further alleged to have influenced the winning of a Central Mechanical and Engineering Department tender to supply fuel by First Oil Company, which never delivered the oil priced at $2.7 million.
The money has not been recovered. Gumbo was unavailable for comment as his lawyers were not responding to calls on their mobile phones.
Gumbo’s arrest follows that of former Labor Minister Prisca Mupfumira, who was arrested a few months ago for suspected shady deals that resulted in the National Social Security Authority losing millions of dollars in shady deals.