MDC calls on Energy Minister Joram Gumbo to resign

When Gumbo’s company was awarded the tender, he was the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Development which happens to administer ZINARA, a clear conflict of interest.

We have always argued that the tender system in Zimbabwe under the Zanu PF government is designed to perpetuate patronage and an agenda of self-aggrandizement. This is unacceptable.

Gumbo was also at the centre of the Air Zimbabwe/Zimbabwe Airways scandal assisting elites to build a private empire on public funds highlighting his propensity to abuse state resources. He is therefore unfit to hold office and must make way for persons of integrity to occupy the important space.

In any case he is incompetent, his views on how to deal with fuel shortages confirm his short comings.

However, the issue of conflicted individuals and corruption is broader than Gumbo’s scandals, it is a Zanu PF issue, and a part of their political DNA. They are a bunch with no understanding of corporate governance.

In recent times there have been scandals involving the Beitbridge-Chirundu highway tender which apparently involves Gumbo, a fuel scam involving the then deputy Minister of Finance, Terence Mukupe, a snow graders scam and decommissioned Transnet locomotives again with Gumbo at the centre and a multi-million dollar travel services scam involving East Town Holdings an organization fronted by Mary Chiwenga.

It is clear that Gumbo is corrupt, for the people of Zimbabwe who are suffering and for the MDC which intends to cure this country of corruption he is an enemy beyond reconciliation.

We therefore demand that he leaves office forthwith and be subjected to the justice delivery processes, proceeds of undue benefit must be forfeited to the state.

Corruption is however a broad scourge and disease which we deal with through the following suggestions:

1. Introduction of criminal sanctions for all corruption related offenses especially for public officials
2. Provision of and setting up special criminal courts to deal with corruption and economic crimes.
3. The right and mechanism for a direct recall of elected officials by the electorate.
4. Mandatory asset declaration for public officials.
5. Establishing, strengthening and institutionalising the National Economic Crimes Investigating Agency (NECI).
6. Regular state sanctioned life style audits.
7. Limited Terms of office for all senior public executives including heads of state enterprises and parastatals.
8. Strengthening transparency mechanisms on state procurement including the introduction of public bidding on major public tenders.
9. Increased access to information for citizens including publication of terms and conditions of public and public guaranteed contracts.
10. Strengthened oversight role for parliament in all public enterprise.
11. Strengthened oversight role for the Civic Society and the Media.

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