David Coltart: I have noted the allegations made by Mr Mashakada reported in the Herald this week alleging that senior leaders of the the MDC A have been involved in misuse of party funds. This is a baseless accusation which serves a ZANU PF agenda.

As the public will know this isn’t the first time allegations have been made like this. In this regard I repeat what I have stated before – namely that since taking office I have implemented systems designed to combat fraud and misuse of party funds.

I’m not aware of any misuse of party funds since becoming Treasurer General in 2019. I also stress that MDC A President Advocate Nelson Chamisa is not a signatory to our accounts & has always insisted on the highest levels of integrity & probity in all matters financial or administrative.

The accusations made by Mr Tapiwa Mashakada are accordingly scurrilous and baseless. It is also pertinent that at no time has Mr Mashakada raised any of these concerns with me in the last year, despite having every opportunity to do so.

One questions why he now suddenly has raised these issues, which appear to indicate a malicious political motive. I also note that ZANU PF has made similar baseless accusations & they are hardly paragons of virtue. What is this common agenda I ask?