(HERALD) KMAL saga: TM cleared

KMAL saga: TM cleared
Herald Reporter

Government has revoked the specification of TM Supermarkets, a subsidiary of Kingdom Meikles Africa, while more evidence of corruption against companies and individuals linked to the major shareholder of the group, Mr John Ralph Moxon, have been unearthed.

Acting Principal Director in the Ministry of Anti-Corruption and Anti-Monopolies Mr Jacob Gonese said in a statement on Thursday that TM Supermarkets’ specification had been revoked on the advice of State-appointed investigators.

However, he added: "Investigators have also unearthed further alleged acts of corruption on the part of the (following) companies and persons: Andrew Lane Mitchell, Kingdom Meikles Limited, Tanganda Tea and Company (Pvt) Ltd, Thomas Meikles Centre (Pvt) Ltd and Murlis Investments (Pvt) Ltd."

Mr Gonese said: "In order to curtail any further prejudice to the taxpayers the last shareholders’ meeting was barred to enable the finalisation of investigations into attempts to sweep an alleged case involving the externalisation of US$22 million by Mr Moxon, under the carpet.

"The co-ministers are naturally unhappy about the gravity of the allegations and have given directives to the investigators to get to the bottom of the case and the investigators are doing their work professionally."

Without spelling out what the new evidence against the group was, Mr Gonese said the specified companies and individuals could present evidence to prove their innocence if they so wished.

Mr Gonese described as "hot air" claims by some sections of the media that co-Ministers of Home Affairs Kembo Mohadi and Giles Mutsekwa were at loggerheads over the specification.

"The hot air surrounding this case does not surprise this office or that of my co-ministers who have co-operated well as politicians.

"In this particular case, like in all others, the co-ministers are behind each other every step of the way. They are guided by sustained consultations and the occasional advice from civil servants and investigators and the team never lost focus and saw issues for what they are.

"The co-ministers have shown the necessary resolve and energy required to handle the task at hand and as their humble servants we are pleased to work with them always."

He said they would leave no stone unturned in unravelling what really happened because of the huge potential prejudice suffered by shareholders and Zimbabwe as a nation.

Mr Gonese said the specification of the companies and individuals was not implemented so that Government could take over the entities concerned, but rather to create conditions for the smooth and legal operation of business.

The act of specification as provided for in the (Anti-Corruption) Act, is not meant as a tool to nationalise thriving business concerns.

"Government is in no way taking over these companies but simply trying to cure them of their mischief.

"In fact, specification does not and should not affect the day-to-day operations of these going concerns but the same provides for a period during which specified companies must account for their alleged corrupt actions to appointed investigators and once stolen or externalised resources are returned, an affected entity will not stay specified for a minute longer."

The then Anti-Corruption and Anti-Monopolies Minister Samuel Undenge specified the companies and persons in January this year.