By Christopher Makaza
Fugitives, former Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister, Walter Mzembi and Mutumwa Mawere who are both holed up in South Africa, have their regime change plot exposed following a WhatsApp chat leak.
The chat reveals that the pair wants to recruit Southern Africa Director for Human Rights Watch, Dewa Mavhinga and one Eric Mabuza to strengthen their project and achieve their goal.
The chat uncovers that the pair wants to use alleged infringement of property rights in Zimbabwe as their rallying point for their project.
Part of the conversation reads:
Mutumwa Mawere: Did you go through the stuff?
Walter Mzembi: I have been going through the information you sent, my summary is a regime change in Harare is part of the solution if not the ultimate solution.
Mutumwa Mawere: Is there an angle to pursue?
Walter Muzembi: International lobby on property rights and restitution is key. Harare cannot compensate whites for lands and improvements, and skip you out of the list. It`s laughable.
Mutumwa Mawere: What about SA angle? Have you checked with Dewa if he has read the text messages?
Walter Muzembi: We have to place your issue before the USA in a manner where it becomes topical politically and linked to removal of sanctions. Equally EU. So Dhewa will be key if we package it properly.
Mutumwa Mawere: What about taking Ramaphosa to court in South Africa?
Walter Muzembi: Senate Foreign Relations Committee our entry point in USA.
Mawere also suggested that separating South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa from President Emmerson Mnangagwa could be the best strategy.
Mawere wants to use the property rights to claim compensation for his company Shabbani Mashava Mine (SSM) Holdings. Analysts, however, say he should first of all explain how he acquired the company, how Government assisted him to buy it and how he externalized funds and under invoicing of asbestos which was exported.
Mawere lost SSM to government in 2004 through the Reconstruction of State-Indebted Insolvent Companies Act.
Mzembi is facing a number of corruption charges which include misappropriation of funds meant for the 2013 United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) General Assembly. He is also being charged of theft of trust property together with former permanent secretary, Margret Sangarwe .
The State has already started the extradition process on Mzembi to bring him to trial on his charges.
