Tsvangirai received vehicles from RBZ’s Gideon Gono’

BY PATIENCE NYANGOVE Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai allegedly received two cars from two unnamed individuals associated with Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Gideon Gono. According to a US embassy cable released on Friday by Wikileaks MDC-T treasurer general Roy Bennett told American ambassador Charles Ray at a meeting last year that the two Gono associates also intended to purchase a US$1 million mansion for Tsvangirai in Harare. Tsvangirai is reportedly under investigation over the purchase of the house with allegations that he pocketed US$1,5 million he received from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. Bennett allegedly said he urged Tsvangirai to turn down the offers. “He was aware of reports that Tsvangirai was buying a US$1 million house in Harare,” reads part of the cable. “Bennett said he investigated and discovered that two individuals associated with Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Gideon Gono had proposed buying the house for Tsvangirai. “Bennett said he urged Tsvangirai to turn off the arrangement and Tsvangirai agreed. “Tsvangirai had, however, accepted two vehicles from these individuals.”  Bennett, who could not be reached for comment, allegedly told Ray that although the MDC-T was good at campaigning, it lacked a crop of politicians to run a government. He also took a swipe at Tsvangirai for often going against party positions. “Apart from the MDC, Bennett acknowledged that Zanu PF will be involved in a future Zimbabwe; the challenge is to identify those in Zanu PF who can play constructive roles, and to find ways to bolster them against extremists,” Ray allegedly said in the leaked cables. Tsvangirai’s spokesperson, Luke Tamborinyoka yesterday refused to comment saying he does not comment to people’s opinions. “We are only aware of what people of Zimbabwe cabled in 2008. It’s not our business whatsoever as to what the Ambassador communicates with his people.”

Chamisa, Gutu chide PM’s office

BY PATIENCE NYANGOVE AND NQABA MATSHAZI TWO senior MDC-T leaders allegedly told American ambassador to Zimbabwe Charles Ray that Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s office was a weak and indecisive.  MDC-T organising secretary Nelson Chamisa and Obert Gutu who is the party’s spokesperson for Harare province are quoted in one of the US embassy cables leaked by the whistleblower website Wikileaks. Ray said Chamisa “agreed” that there was a “common perception that Tsvangirai’s office was weak and had failed to play a coordinating role for government ministries.” Gutu allegedly had a meeting with Ray last year where he criticised Tsvangirai for flip-flopping on when the country should hold the next elections. “Gutu also stated that Tsvangirai had a tendency to listen to the wrong people. “He pointed to Ian Makone, Tsvangirai’s chief of staff, and Makone’s wife, Theresa, who is the Minister of Public Works (now Home Affairs co-minister). “He opined that neither was a good strategist, and that the Office of the Prime Minister was weak due to Ian Makone’s lack of leadership.” Chamisa was yesterday not available for comment while Gutu denied ever meeting with Ray. “I never met with Ambassador Ray, that story is a pack of lies. It is pure adulterated hogwash and pure propaganda,” he said.