Zim News Blog -NEWS NETWORK

By Tinashe Kairiza

Government is orchestrating a well-choreographed plan using the state security apparatus to infiltrate MDC structures, as well as foment violence and chaos in the run up to, during and after the party’s elective congress in May to dent opposition leader Nelson Chamisa’s credibility and legitimacy, while weakening his leadership and party, the Zimbabwe Independent has established.

The plan, state security contacts said, includes bankrolling the campaign of candidates willing to take on Chamisa. He is likely to face the challenge of long-time rival Douglas Mwonzora, who beat him to the position of secretary-general in 2014. Sources within the intelligence community this week told the Independent that part of the strategy involves infiltrating and weakening the structures of the MDC, besmirching Chamisa through state-controlled media, while propping up his rivals, as well as fomenting mayhem during the party’s congress.

The ultimate objective of the plan — for which a hefty war chest has been set aside — is to have a weak MDC post congress with limited bargaining power in the event that talks between the party and the ruling Zanu PF materialise, sources said. Chamisa, who lost last year’s presidential election, has refused to recognise President Emmerson Mnangagwa as the winner, insisting he rigged the polls. He says only dialogue will resolve the impasse, seen as key towards setting Zimbabwe’s creaking economy on a firm recovery and growth path.

“Chamisa has been a problem for President Mnangagwa both at home and internationally. He has continued to question Mnangagwa’s legitimacy so the best way for Zanu PF is for him to have legitimacy and credibility problems of his own,” an official said.

“Chamisa will address any lingering legitimacy questions of his own if he is elected at congress. But the plan is to make sure that his image and credibility are damaged during the congress period, through sponsoring divisions, confusion and violence in the MDC. The idea is that the MDC should emerge weaker after congress. Chamisa should emerge with his reputation in tatters. There must be legitimacy questions if he sails through so that he ceases to have the moral authority to question Mnangagwa’s own legitimacy. His bargaining power will be reduced in any negotiations if the plan succeeds.”

The elective congress will be the first since the death of Tsvangirai last February, hence critical.

At the time of going to print, Mwonzora had not responded to questions sent to him. Sources said the plan to disrupt the opposition congress would also be pivoted around fanning divisions within the MDC during the restructuring exercise of the party’s structures.

“Success of the project to throw the MDC congress into disarray is also predicated on fomenting violence and chaos before the party’s branches, wards, districts and provincial structures are reorganised in line with the party’s dictates before congress. “Another dimension the strategy will take is that Zanu PF, utilising state machinery, will also be on the lookout for candidates who are not in Chamisa’s camp so that they can be sponsored if they decide to run for any position of their choice,” the source said.

According to the MDC constitution, a candidate should be nominated by at least one of the party’s provinces to be eligible to contest at congress.

BY LISA TAZVIINGA

THE broke government is shelling out millions of dollars on vehicles for senior bureaucrats despite pledging to significantly cut expenditure under its much-publicised austerity plan, it has emerged.

Through a loan facility, senior civil servants — from the position of deputy director upwards — will get vehicles.

The Central Mechanical and Equipment Department (CMED) board has since written to the intended beneficiaries inviting them to take up the offer.

CMED is responsible for managing the government fleet.

The invitation is in line with a circular released by the Civil Service Commission in June last year.

Those invited to take up the loans occupy positions of deputy director, director and principal director and are entitled to amounts of $20 000, $30 000 and $40 000 respectively, at an annual interest rate of 5%.

“Qualified applicants and interested members are requested to urgently submit applications stating the choice and type of vehicle needed.

“Applications should be submitted to this office in the attention of the (CMED) director human resources,” a copy of a letter of invitation seen by the Zimbabwe Independent this week reads.

The letter, sent to one of the deputy directors, was signed by CMED board chairperson Professor Sheunesu Mpepereki and is dated December 18 2018.

Government is offering to pay value-added tax and import duty on the vehicles within the prescribed loan limit.

According to the arrangement, the lowest monthly instalment is $10,61 for a vehicle costing $1 000 while the highest premium is $212,13 for a $20 000 vehicle.

To breathe life into the loan scheme, special adjustments to the Transport Purchase Fund managed by the CMED were made late last year in order to include beneficiaries of the loan scheme.

The process ensures direct payment to the vehicle agency of the loan-holder’s choice as soon as an agreement of sale has been signed.

Some directors have criticised the loan scheme, saying it will not serve its intended purpose, considering that $30 000 in RTGS dollars can only buy a car worth about US$8 000.

A director who opted out of the scheme because of the conditions stated said it was a poorly calculated move on the part of government to adopt that arrangement, especially when the RTGS dollar/US dollar exchange rate does not work in the bureaucrats’ favour.

“The loan is not worth it, if anything it will cost me in the long run. It is being provided in bond currency yet all cars are being sold in US dollars or at least an equivalent rate.

“The current rate is at 1:4, meaning for a $30 000 loan, I can only purchase a US$$8 000 car which will obviously be a small family car, but that is not the idea,” he said.

The initiative to provide loan schemes was first proposed by former finance minister Patrick Chinamasa, as a way of cutting down on government expenditure. His successor Mthuli Ncube upheld the decision and went on to institute a strict government fleet management policy to prevent abuse of the vehicles.

Chairperson of the Civil Service Commission, Vincent Hungwe, declined to comment, saying: “You may want to get the details by submitting your questions to the office of the secretary of commissions, Ambassador (Jonathan) Wutawunashe.”

Wutawunashe could not be reached for comment.