HARARE – Civil engineering firm Bitumen World has denied claims by an MP that it was asked to pay bribes to finance ministry permanent secretary George Guvamatanga in exchange for payments on government road contracts.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Bitumen World said it had “taken note” of social media posts by Energy Mutodi on X (formerly Twitter), in which he alleged that the company was being forced to pay kickbacks of US$200,000 for every US$2 million payment authorised by Guvamatanga.
“Bitumen World (Private) Limited trading as ‘Bitumen’ would like to dissociate itself from the post made by Dr Energy Mutodi to the extent that the contents thereof relate to it. We categorically state that we have not received any solicitations from Mr George Guvamatanga,”
said Andre Zietsman, the company’s chief executive officer.
Zietsman said Bitumen World remains committed to supporting the government’s infrastructure development agenda and continues to work with relevant ministries and agencies “to deliver quality, sustainable projects that strengthen the national road network and contribute to the country’s long-term economic growth.”
Mutodi’s claims — which he later recanted saying he could not substantiate them — triggered strong reactions online.
The Zanu PF MP for Bikita South was promptly removed as chairman of parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Budget, Finance and Investment Promotion after a no-confidence vote by the powerful Committee on Standing Rules and Orders (CSRO) which has 26 members including Senate President Marble Chinomona, Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube, Deputy Speaker Tsitsi Gezi, CCC senator Sengezo Tshabangu, and lawmakers Maureen Kademaunga and Monica Mutsvangwa.
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