The Minister of Justice
Hon. Ziyambi Ziyambi
New Government Complex
Corner 4th & Samora Machel Avenue
Harare
RE: PETITION TO ARREST DOUGLAS TOGARASEI MWONZORA: CASE RB# 2236/12/2020
On my behalf and on behalf of the members of the Movement for the Democratic Change T (MDC-T) hereby petition the Ministry of Justice Legal and Parliamentary Affairs to arrest Douglas Togarasei Mwonzora for:
1. The theft of MDC T funds to the tune of $6 million
2. Money laundering in violation of Zimbabwe Foreign Currency Exchange Control Act
3. Blatant disregard of the country’s anti-corruption policy
We are coming to the Ministry guided by the Ministry’s Mission Statement:
“To promote an effective justice delivery system and provide legal services, rehabilitation that guarantee good governance, democracy and the rule of law”
It will be 4 months, April 27, 2021 since the theft case was reported December 26, 2020, recorded in RB # 2236/12/2020.
The Details of the case are contained in the Attached Affidavit #A1 attached.
Suffice to say Hon. Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, that theft of any kind, from any person or entity by anyone regardless of their political or economic position should be a top priority of the Zimbabwe Republic Police, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission and the Ministry of Justice. So far not in this case, WHY?
Hon Minister, we have provided the Zimbabwe Republic Police with overwhelming evidence of theft of funds as well as money laundering. Not only did we provide the money trail but also the names of individuals and companies used to launder the money. It is inconceivable that in the face of such overwhelming evidence Douglas Togarasei Mwonzora and his fellow accused have not be arrested and deposed for this criminal offence.
It is also inconceivable that the Government of Zimbabwe that prides itself for adhering to the rule of law is failing to show the world that all citizens regardless of their station, membership and or support for the ruling party are subject to the same laws that apply to ordinary citizens. We are having for a full 4 months now a situation where all animals are equal but some animals are equal than others. This Hon Minister cannot be good for our country and the principle of equality before the law.
I am imploring you Hon Minister to implement your Mission and ensure the rule of law in this instance.
For and on behalf of MDC T Members
Patson Murimoga
ID #04-101832 04
Attached Exhibit #A1
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 stoleng 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 transfered to Bel Petroleum campany which Tapiwa Mashakada is a Director (2.5Million was
withdrawn and given to Douglas Mwonzora) END