Ray Nkosi  |President Emmerson Mnangagwa has just shamed looters who over the years have externalised much needed foreign currency, an exercise described by many as a damp squib by its failure to bring forth big names.

Among the big names many expected to see on the shamed list are those of former President Robert Mugabe, his wife Grace and their allies the people at the centre operation restore legacy the military intervention which sought to deal with “criminals” around Mugabe. There are other big names in government and ex ministers who are missing on the list which has left many dissapointed, notwithstanding reports that even those who have been named government might just have little legal grounds to prosecute them on.

Other expected names include former vice President Joice Mujuru too.

This comes as Mugabe is allegedly pleading poverty, claiming that he had to declare all his assets outside the country, Times Live of South Africa has reported, after the former Zimbabwe president was summoned to return funds that were sent out of the country illegally.

Mnangagwa announced an amnesty in November last year.

Mugabe reportedly claimed that following this call, he is left with only two properties, one in South Africa and one in Hong Kong.

Mugabe and his wife told reporters at their Harare mansion that they adhered to the amnesty, according to Times Live.

The former president claimed to have no money outside of the country, saying that he is an honest person.

However, according to Mnangagwa, only R3 billion was returned to Zimbabwe during the amnesty which is a far call compared to the R15.6 billion that was allegedly sent out of the country during Mugabe’s presidency, reported Times Live.

Meanwhile, individuals are wondering how Mugabe’s family could afford lavish clothing and luxury motor vehicles.

The 93 year old former president also claimed that he owns only one farm which he bought with his own money.

Mnangagwa said on Friday that Zimbabwe “has moved on” after Mugabe’s exit.

In a statement, the president said he “noted recent remarks made to the media” by Mugabe who spoke to foreign journalists at a location in Harare on Thursday.

It was Mugabe’s first public statement since his resignation last year. “I say it was a coup d’etat — some people have refused to call it a coup d’etat,” Mugabe told South Africa’s SABC broadcaster, referring to the brief army takeover which led to Mnangagwa assuming power after Mugabe’s resignation.”We must undo this disgrace which we have imposed on ourselves, we don’t deserve it… Zimbabwe doesn’t deserve it.”

Mnangagwa responded on his official Twitter account, saying: Mugabe “is entitled to express himself freely, as is the case for any private citizen”.”The nation has moved on. Our focus at this time shall remain on preparing for free, fair and credible elections in 2018.”

Meanwhile, Mnangagwa said on Saturday that Zimbabwe is expected to hold its first parliamentary elections since Mugabe’s rule, in July. The polls will also be the first without Mugabe’s name on the ballot since independence from Britain in 1980.”As a nation, party and government, we are looking forward to very peaceful, transparent and harmonised elections in July this year,” Mnangagwa told reporters after a meeting with South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa on Saturday night.

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By Paul Nyathi | Dumiso Dabengwa led ZAPU has put the final nail on the Elton Mangoma led Coalition Of Democrats (CODE) after pulling out of the election set up last week.

The revived revolutionary party once led by the late great Joshua Nkomo, was quick to court former ally in the CODE Barbara Nyagomo’s Progressive Democrats of Zimbabwe into an agreement that will see the two opposition parties come together to form one political party under ZAPU’s name.

Speaking to ZimEye.com in an interview on Monday, Nyagomo confirmed the development without giving much details indicating that the two parties are finalising the unity agreement.

“We will sign Agreement this week and all details will be availed to the media,” said Nyagomo.

Nyagomo scoffed at earlier speculations making rounds that she was set to join the Joice Mujuru led People’s Rainbow Coalition however indicating that opposition parties are still involved in formulating a grand coalition.

“Talks with PRC and MDC Alliance on-going,” said Nyagomo who is not new in the ZAPU set up having been the party’s European Province chairperson in 2010 before establishing her own party.

“The people of Zimbabwe have given the politicians the mandate to form a Grand Coalition,” she said indicating a possibility that their newly established party might find itself in a possible alliance with other opposition parties.

ZAPU Secretary General Strike Mkandla confirmed the merging of the two parties indicating that Nyagomo will be made the Vice President of the party which Dabengwa will lead while all PDZ structures will now be incorporated into ZAPU structures.

Lora Makuzva was Zapu vice-president before the merger.

“PDZ president, Barbara Nyagomo will be the vice-president of the unified Zapu. The most fortunate thing is that our incumbent president, Madam Lora Makuzva had ceased to actively participate in party affairs because of other personal commitments. As a party, we are always ready to welcome her whenever she has sorted out her issues. We will work out a plan for the two to co-exist,” he said.

PDZ national organising secretary, Brighton Makocho said his party decided to merge with Zapu because of the two parties’ shared liberation war backgrounds.

“Zapu provides a brand that has continuity with the nationalist movement and the liberation struggle it waged. These credentials have enabled us to join hands with Zapu and work together,” Makocho said.

Makocho said the pact with Zapu is also expected to boost the two parties, bargaining powers in talks with the MDC Alliance and PRC to form the envisaged grand opposition coalition against the ruling Zanu PF.

“There is strength in numbers. As we continue to negotiate for a grand coalition with other political parties, we believe that the merger will strengthen our position at the negotiating table
He added.