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(NEWZIMBABWE) Mawere, Makamba specification lifted

Mawere, Makamba specification lifted
by Staff Reporter
27/05/2010 00:00:00

THE Zimbabwe government has revoked the specification of prominent businessmen Mutumwa Mawere and James Makamba in an unexpected move. The despecification clears the way for former Schweppes, First Bank and Shabanie Mashaba Mines boss Mawere, and former Telecel chief Makamba to return to Zimbabwe and reclaim their confiscated assets.

Home Affairs Minister Kembo Mohadi and Giles Mutsekwa signed the order revoking the 2004 specification of the two men on May 19, according to papers seen by New Zimbabwe.com.

Mawere and Makamba were specified under the Prevention of Corruption Act following accusations that they “externalised” scarce foreign currency.

In Mawere’s case, he lost a vast business empire – triggering costly legal battles in South Africa, Britain and Zimbabwe.

New Zimbabwe.com columnist Mawere has been a South African citizen since 1995, and would not qualify for Zimbabwean citizenship under current laws which ban dual citizenship.

Makamba, meanwhile, has been living in England since fleeing the country after he was arrested and charged with 22 counts of foreign currency fraud.

Elements within Zimbabwe’s power sharing government have been pushing for the despecification of the two businessmen, along with dozens of bankers, who all had their assets raided following charges of “externalisation”.

Reacting to the developments, Mawere said: "Six years ago to the date, I was in court on allegations of externalisation. In June 2004, a month later, the charges were dismissed by the South African courts. Ten days after the dismissal of the case in South Africa, I was specified. A month later, an Investigator was appointed.

"The facts that he had at his disposal have not changed over the last six years. What has changed is that the Minister who specified me is no longer in charge of administering the Prevention of Corruption Act. This change allowed for an independent representative of the executive to look at this case objectively and independently resulting in this decision. The Investigators did come to South Africa and based on their findings, came to the conclusion that allegations of externalisation were not only baseless but had no foundation.

"I am obviously excited about the decision and look forward to making my contribution to the renewal of Zimbabwe as a free man. Zimbabwe needs support. What is regrettable is that there are many squandered opportunities. Spilt milk cannot be recovered.

"My physical presence in Zimbabwe will not make much difference, but what is important is that all impediments that stand in the way of progress must be removed. If what has happened to me can happen in a democratic constitutional order, then the important issue is to examine what went wrong and take steps to ensure that this will never happen again. For me, it has been six years of hell and to the country, I leave it to other people to measure."

Labels: JAMES MAKAMBA, MINING, MUTUMWA MAWERE

posted by MrK @ 3:37 PM