Zanu PF outcasts set to bounce back

BY PATIENCE NYANGOVE FORMER Zanu PF MPs who a couple of years ago fell out of favour with their party’s leadership after being accused of externalising billions of Zimbabwean dollars in foreign currency and selling state secrets are set to make a comeback into active politics. This paper has it on good authority that in the next parliamentary elections David Butau will try to re-capture his Guruve constituency while Chris Kuruneri will also try his luck in Mazowe West. Another rehabilitated former MP who wants another shot at parliament is flamboyant businessman Philip Chiyangwa, who is eyeing the Chinhoyi seat. Between 2004 and 2005 Chiyangwa was accused of passing state secrets to South African intelligence agents. However, after being detained for several months, he was later acquitted. Former Finance minister Kuruneri in 2004 spent 15 months in remand prison and a further two years under house arrest on allegations of externalisation before he was later acquitted. In late 2007, Butau fled to the United Kingdom to avoid arrest after police indicated they wanted to arrest him. In May 2009 he was acquitted on all counts after the prosecution dropped the charges. A hostile Chiyangwa last week said there was nothing out of this world about him standing in elections. “I have always been in politics, nothing has changed. When I was in hibernation, why didn’t you come and talk to me?” he said. Zanu PF secretary for Adminstration Didymus Mutasa said although he was not sure about Butau and Kuruneri, he knew for certain that Chiyangwa was set to be re-admitted in Mashonaland West province.