Give us the list of real looters – individuals and not companies- MDC says

The Movement for Democratic Change has scoffed at the list of externalisers relased by the government yesterday saying President Emmerson Mnangagwa promised to release the names of individuals that were looting the country not companies that are genuine exporters.

The party’s secretary for finance and economic affairs Tapiwa Mashakada said it is dishonest for government to seek cheap political capital by publishing a list of names of companies who are in the official business of exports.

“Where was the Reserve Bank when exporters were not acquitting their export declaration forms?  The fact that these companies are known means that the externalization was known and therefore not illicit,” Mashakada said.

“The Reserve Bank kept records of exporters who did not acquit. What this shows is that government has backtracked on its initial intention of exposing individuals involved in real illicit financial outflows.

“By publishing a list dominated by companies, government is simply posturing and actually camouflaging and protecting real culprits who are the big wigs in ZANU-PF.

“We reject the so-called list with the contempt it deserves. We want to see the real list not a list of exhorting companies who have not acquitted the export forms to the RBZ.

“After raising the hopes of citizens government chickened out and decided to publish an official list of bonafide exporters. This is not acceptable.”

Mashakada said the MDC demanded full accountability and transparency.

“The list is meant to protect looters. We are waiting for the real list of individuals who privately externalized funds and prejudiced Zimbabwe billions of dollars. On top of the list should be those who externalized $15 billion. All in all the published list is just but a public relations exercise.

“It’s not a list of real illicit financial flows by definition. By illicit we mean fraudulent and illegal transactions that are conducted below the radar not official exporters who have not yet acquitted their export declaration forms.

“We want to see the list of politicians who have stashed funds in offshore accounts in Switzerland, Jersey, Virgin Islands, Mauritius, Isle of Man, China, Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong and other safe financial havens.”

According to the government, about $1.3 billion was externalised and nearly $600 million was brought back in the amnesty period which was initially 28 February but was extended to 16 March.

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