Minister of Mines Obert Mpofu is no stranger to corruption in his own rightChronicle Reporter
THE Ministry of Mines and Mining Development has been full of corrupt officials who have been giving mining claims to non-producers for speculative purposes while at the same time denying serious investors licences to operate, a Cabinet Minister revealed yesterday.
Speaking in an interview at Ntabazinduna Police Training Depot, where he was the reviewing officer during the pass-out parade of 273 police officers, the Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Obert Mpofu, said his ministry was taking corrective action to address the matter.
He said the measures included inviting potential investors turned away by officials from his ministry to reapply for licences and reclaiming mining claims which were issued out corruptly or, for speculative purposes.
“If you look at most of the claims, you will realise that they were issued for speculative purposes, which was hindering development. I will say in some cases 99 percent of the claims were given to non-producers and some of them had several claims,” said Minister Mpofu.
“In the process, genuine investors were turned away but we have recalled some of the investors because we want to deal with serious people only. This is why the Government is asking for US$20 000 from potential miners because we want to deal with serious people,” he added.
He said cases of corruption by officials from his ministry had been reported countrywide.
Earlier in his address, Minister Mpofu revealed that some officials who were thought to be involved in the scandal were refusing to be transferred from their provinces to the head office, something unheard of in the civil service. He said because of their stubbornness, he was left with no choice but to clash with them.
“They are refusing to move but we will deal with them accordingly. It’s unbelievable that you can have a civil servant refusing to move. When I left Harare, I had three or four letters from lawyers saying the officers were refusing to move,” said Cde Mpofu.
“You give an order to your subordinate and they answer you through lawyers. Something, which I or the Commissioner General (of the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Augustine Chihuri) can’t do. When we are told to move, we move.
“But we will deal with them because the President appointed two big ministers. Me and my deputy (Murisi Zwizwai), we both weigh more than 100 kilogram’s, so we will deal with them.”
Minister Mpofu said his mandate was to ensure that the country’s minerals were sustainably used so that they contribute meaningfully to the turnaround of the economy.
He said Zimbabwe had a wide range of minerals, which if used properly could contribute to the economy.
He said the dwindling production in the mining sector for the past 18 months was worrisome and the Government would do its part to encourage production through the mechanisation of the mining sector among other initiatives.
The Government, he said, would also act to stop the illegal exporting of minerals so that all minerals benefit the country.
Turning to politics, Minister Mpofu said the pass-out parade came at a time when Zimbabweans had united for the purpose of nation-building, reconstruction and reconciliation. He said the benefits of the new political dispensation were going to cascade to all realms of people’s lives and urged all Zimbabweans to embrace the inclusive Government.
“In its concerted efforts to turn around the economy, basing on the unity of purpose demonstrated by our political leaders, the Government urges all progressive citizens to be an integral part of this crusade. This is not a period for hostility neither is it a period of self-aggrandisement but it is a period for putting the nation before self,” said Minister Mpofu.
He said the Government had allowed the use of multiple currencies as part of efforts to rejuvenate the economy.
The Minister said although the measures had contributed substantially towards the recent improvement in the production and supply of basic goods, the Government was concerned by the mushrooming of businesses people who were evading paying tax.
“There is a considerable number of unprincipled business- people who are selling their goods and services in foreign currency that are deliberately avoiding getting licences in order to evade paying tax.
In this regard, may I strongly warn all perpetrators of economic crimes that liberalisation of the economy does not translate into repealing of all enactments dealing with economic crimes and the Government will not hesitate to deal with them accordingly.”
The graduands went through a six month training programme and covered subjects such as police duties and investigations, criminal law (codification and reform) Act, Chapter 9:23, weapon handling and public order management, statute law, foot and arms drill and the history of Zimbabwe.
They also did first aid, radio and telecommunication, counter insurgence and human rights and policing.
Zimsentinel adds that in 2006 Minister Mpofu was embroiled in a web of corruption at ZISCO during his tenure as Minister of Industry and Trade. He also presided over the 2007 Price Wars where retail shops were looted empty by Zanu PF hooligans under the command of the Pricing and incomes commission he set up.
He has in the past been fingered in leading chaotic farm occupations in Matabeleland North and occupation of National conservancies as well as acquisition of hunting concessions corruptly.
He knows all about corruption and must be taken seriously when he says there is corruption in the Mines Ministry. That is why he accepted the portfolio. To flush out his competitors who in the past have thwarted his corrupt forays in the lucrative mining sector
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