April 7, 2021
Att:
Zimbabwe Ant-Corruption Commission (ZACC) Commissioner
CASE- RB# 2236/12/2020
RE: POLICE INABILITY TO ACT ON MDC-T THEFT AND MONEY LAUNDERING CASE
My Letter to Assistant Commissioner Nyathi of February 3, 2021 attached below is a summary of the Case of Theft and laundering of the Movement for Democratic Change-T (MDC-T) Funds by Douglas Togarasei Mwonzora and Other Members of the Party Standing Committee.
In Summary:
- The case was reported on December 26, 2020, CASE- RB# 2236/12/2020
- Several members of the MDC-T Standing Committee have deposed affidavits with ZRP attesting to the theft and laundering of funds
- The ZRP has conducted its own investigations and evidence exists in support of both theft and illegal exchange of foreign currency on the black market.
- The persons who participated in the illegal exchange of foreign currency are known to the Police
- There are recorded statements from some members of the MDC-T Standing Committee attesting to the theft and money laundering
- That the laundering was in total contravention of the country Foreign Exchange Act and the prevailing official exchange rate which was US$1:83RTGS as established by the Auction Market
- That the MDC-T Standing Committee violated the Government policy of RTGS as legal tender for all domestic transactions
- That no attempt was made to acquire the “needed” foreign currency from the official Banks at the prevailing exchange rate as required by the law
- That the Funds from The Political Parties Finance Act are public funds that should not and cannot be laundered on the black market in total contravention of the country monetary and fiscal policies.
Therefore, pray that: - The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) investigates why the Police have not arrested Douglas Togarasei Mwonzora for the theft of funds despite overwhelming evidence
- ZACC investigates the turning of Harvest House into a den of illegal foreign currency dealing and money laundering
- Arrest and depose all MDC T Standing Committee members for their complicity in money laundering stemming from inability to report the theft and laundering of party funds
- Take up the issue as a matter of urgency in light of Police inaction and the soon to be disbursed $29 million dollars as Gazetted by the government.
Sincerely,
Patson Murimoga
MDC-T Member
Attachment
3rd February, 2021
Complainant: Patson Murimoga
4406 Manyame Park
Chitungwiza
Telephone Number: 0772780298/0772155555
Zimbabwe Republic Police
Att: Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi
RE: FOLLOW UP ON DOUGLAS TOGARASEI MWONZORA THEFT CASE- RB# 2236/12/2020
I am writing to follow up on my report of December 26, 2020 alleging theft of Movement for Democratic T party funds by Douglas Togarasei Mwonzora and others. The case was reported on RB#2236/12/2020.
On Monday February 1st, 2020 there was a published Report by Fungai Mugari, Copy Attached detailing the alleged theft of party funds by Mwonzora and others. I am not the only person wondering why, in the face of such overwhelming evidence Mwonzora has not been arrested for this theft.
The Investigating Officers have so far done a sterling job identifying the various accounts used, accomplices within the MDC T and the illegal foreign currency dealers they engaged.
It appears to me that there is enough evidence of misappropriation. The MDCT Finance Director, Toddy Mapingire facilitated the withdrawal, delivery and collection of the illegally obtained foreign currency. He is the keeper of the paper trail. With the publication of this story I fear they may temper with evidence and witnesses. I strongly believe it is in the best interest of justice that Douglas Mwonzora, Todd Mapingire and others be arrested just like any other citizens would if they are accused of a similar crime.
Justice is blind and should be dispensed without fear or favor.
Yours Sincerely,
Patson Murimoga
ID # 04-101832 04
Cc. Officer in Charge CID
Attachment:
How Mwonzora Looted MDC-T Coffers
Fungai Mugari
Harare – Zimbabwean authorities are investigating the MDC-T for money laundering, fraud and violating
exchange control regulations after millions of dollars were siphoned from the party’s account to illegal
money changers.
According to a memorandum prepared by the police’s commercial crimes unit, Douglas Mwonzora with
the aid of one Toddy Mapingire, reportedly transferred a total of ZWL$6,355 000 to various accounts
linked to illegal money changers. The police’s commercial crimes unit has since enlisted the services of
RBZ’s Financial Intelligence Unit to investigate the matter further.
In a memorandum to the Financial Intelligence Unit, police claim that there is reasonable suspicion that
Mwonzora and Mapingire contravened section 5(1)(a) of the Exchange Control Act and section 8(1) of
the Money-Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act, after they used the MDC-T BancABC account number
50863225502015 Heritage Branch to buy foreign currency equivalent to ZWL$6,355 000.
“Some time in December 2020, MDC-T party was granted $14 million by the Government of Zimbabwe
through the Political Parties Finance Act. The funds were deposited in MDC-T BancABC account number
50863225502015 Heritage Branch.
“On 18 December 2020, the accused persons (Mr. Mwonzora and Mr. Mapingire) transferred funds from
the MDC-T party said bank account into Bell Petroleum BancABC account number 15104045502014 a
sum of ZWL$2,800 000. On the same date, ZWL$1,755 000 was transferred into Madzara Trust CABS
account number 1129721914. In another batch ZWL$1,800 000 was transferred to a well-known illegal
money changer Martha Munandi account number 260126563. The funds were transferred in the
following batches ZWL$2 800 000, ZWL$1 755 000, ZWL$1 800 000 making a total of ZWL$6,355 000.
“The MDC-T party had no relationship or any contract with the said company, trust and individual
respectively; and as such there is reasonable suspicion that the accused persons were buying foreign
currency from the parallel market and used the accounts to facilitate their illicit activities. We have since
recorded a warned and cautioned statement from one of the accomplices who received commission from
one of the entities for performing the transactions,” read the police memorandum.
Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed that a police report had been made
against Mr. Mwonzora with the police commercial crimes unit seized with the matter.
Efforts to get a comment from Mwonzora were fruitless.
Breakdown of Douglas Mwonzora stolen funds from MDC-T Gvt Grant
RTGs 1755000 transferred to cabs account number 1129721914, Madzara Trust (Dougie friend)
RTGs 1800000 transferred to account number 260126563, Martha Munandi Trust she is related to the
late Cephas Makuyana.
2,8million transferred to Bel Petroleum company which Tapiwa Mashakada is a Director (2.5Million was
withdrawn and given to Douglas Mwonzora) END