By A Correspondent | ZimEye| In a sudden twist of events, Zimbabwean activist, Hopewell Chin’ono has announced the cancellation of his non-existent govt-in-exile health initiative, citing personal reasons, that he doesn’t want to have his personal finances audited. The decision, announced Friday morning in a tweet, came after revelations surfaced that one of Chin’ono’s previous clinic projects, which handled millions of dollars, currently shows a zero balance (see images)
The revelation by a Twitter user, Lynn Starcia, raised serious questions about the management of funds, triggering intense public scrutiny. While Chin’ono insists the funds for the project came from his personal wealth, the refusal to allow any form of audit on these public funds has been the crux of the controversy.
“I have never touched a penny of public money and am using my personal funds,” Chin’ono declared in his tweet. Despite his claims of altruism, critics have pointed to his strong resistance to having the funds examined as a red flag, especially given the public interest in ensuring transparency for such initiatives.
The cancellation of the clinic also comes amid revelations about Chin’ono’s personal finances.
He recently admitted that his first property in Chisipite was not financed through a CABS mortgage, as previously suggested, but through illicit British funds amounting to £50,000 obtained back in 1996. Furthermore, the family of a doctor he had previously name dropped would validate this money has since distanced itself from him, adding more fuel to the ongoing fire.
Meanwhile, Chin’ono defended his decision to halt the clinic, stating that security concerns for the doctors involved had become paramount. “For the security of the service providers, we have decided to put this assistance on hold until a time when their safety is guaranteed,” he explained. However, many believe that the real reason behind this abrupt cancellation lies in his refusal to have his finances audited, a point that Chin’ono conspicuously emphasized throughout his statement.
The activist was quick to point fingers at his detractors, accusing politicians and their “proxies” of attacking him for personal reasons. “It is ridiculous for any politician to send their attack dogs in the name of transparency when I have never touched public money,” he wrote, dismissing the audit demands as politically motivated. Nevertheless, critics argue that transparency should extend to personal funds used for public projects, particularly in light of the large sums involved.
In his defense, Chin’ono stressed that he had floated the Diaspora initiative out of a desire to help Zimbabwe’s elderly, with health professionals offering their time and services voluntarily. “I didn’t need to provide this service, I am not obliged to,” he said, expressing frustration at the backlash. Yet, his ongoing resistance to public oversight remains the focal point of concern for many, especially as the project initially garnered significant public support due to the promises of healthcare improvement in Zimbabwe.
In a further twist, Chin’ono’s tweets did not address the lingering question of the missing $1 million, nor did he provide any clear pathway for ensuring financial transparency going forward. This silence has only amplified the skepticism surrounding the management of the funds. Despite his insistence on using personal finances, the public has continued to call for greater accountability, particularly given his position as a high-profile activist fighting government corruption.
The collapse of Chin’ono’s clinic project comes at a time when Zimbabweans are desperate for healthcare solutions, particularly for the vulnerable elderly population. Yet, with Chin’ono firmly refusing any audits on the project’s finances, the initiative has been placed on indefinite hold, leaving those who might have benefited from it in limbo.
As the fallout from these revelations continues, questions surrounding Hopewell Chin’ono’s financial dealings and his steadfast refusal to undergo an audit will likely remain a focal point in the ongoing discourse about transparency and accountability in Zimbabwe’s activism space.- ZimEye