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Clandestine Deals

Details: Written by: Reuben Gift Waretsa; Category: ZEXIT; Published: 13 June 2025; Hits: 326

Clandestine Deals in the Country's Natural Resources

Fuelling Corruption in Zimbabwe

The arrogant and garrulous Zanu PF spokesman, Chris Mutsvangwa surprised many when he bragged at a Business conference at the Victoria Falls, that him and a few clever ones, where making big profits from investments at Manhize. He was mocking opposition politicians that they were busy calling for international sanctions against the Mnangagwa regime whilst he, Mutsvangwa and others are making easy money.

The truth of the matter is not many Zimbabweans know where Manhize is located let alone what business goes on there.

This alone raises many unanswered questions from who owns Manhize, what happens at Manhize and why it appears this is a secret place where only the privileged elite continue to loot and plunder the national resources without accountability.

My first question is who owns Manhize? From my limited knowledge on Manhize, it is a steel plant run by the Chinese Tsingshan Group. I understand this Group has various other projects in Zimbabwe where they have invested billions.

The cause for concern with Manhize is there seems to be really serious business going on there but without visible or tangible direct benefits to the impoverished nation let alone the locals.

This is where the many questions don't seem to get answers.

It would be assumed the Manhize operations are above board when it comes to compliance with state regulations like tax and labour laws. Fair enough. It would also be expected that such a Mammoth project would be so popular enough to eclipse the likes of the legendary Zisco when it comes to the provision of jobs in a country where over 90% of the population is unemployed.

So why is Manhize so concealed?

When the Zanu PF spokesman claims that they are making big profits at Manhize, who does he really refer to here? Could it be the Zimbabwean ‘government’ “regime” or those fat cats again who are notorious at stealing our minerals from the time of Chiyadzwa Diamonds? As always, one never gets answers to these questions. It was very interesting to note that Tendai Biti, a leader of the opposition was part of the panellists on the stage and he was so embarrassed by Mutsvangwa's remarks that he even failed to expose these secretive lucrative deals taking place in the mining sector.

If Manhize is such a big deal, obviously with government having a stake, why is it that the nation is not officially informed about the ongoings there?

After the Chiyadzwa fiasco, Zimbabweans can no longer tolerate further looting of our minerals.

I therefore call for an extensive and comprehensive audit of all the mining operations in Zimbabwe.

President Mnangagwa needs to be reminded that Land and all resources don't belong to him as a President. The land and all the resources on it are the Heritage of the people of Zimbabwe, both present and future. The President needs to fire all nonperforming ministers especially the Ministers of Roads and Road Traffic, Health and Mines.

The minerals must benefit "Vene" (the citizenry). like what is happening in Burkina Faso. There is need to forge smart partnerships where local people collaborate with foreign investors. This will go a long way in creating the much-needed jobs and the Gross Domestic Product.

Shrinking the Democratic Space

Details: Written by: Panyika Anselm Karimanzira; Category: ZEXIT; Published: 03 June 2025; Hits: 437

"Shrinking the Democratic Space: The Dictator, Emmerson Mnangagwa, Is at It Again"

This week, kleptocrat and dictator Emmerson Mnangagwa unveiled the Zimbabwe Media Policy.

Cloaked in colourful language and lofty rhetoric, the policy might appear progressive at first glance. But a closer, more critical examination reveals a different reality.

To the discerning citizen, this policy is yet another addition to the regime’s ever-expanding arsenal of repressive tools. Far from promoting transparency or freedom of expression, it resurrects the spirit of the long-repealed Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA). It now joins the ranks of the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act (MOPA), the Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) Act, the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Amendment Act of 2023—infamously dubbed the “Patriotic Act”—and the Cyber and Data Protection Act.

Collectively, these laws constitute a systematic erosion of Zimbabwe’s democratic space.

The Zimbabwe Media Policy is a framework designed to curtail free speech and media independence. It grants the state sweeping powers—not only over traditional media but also over social media—thus extending its surveillance and control into the daily lives of ordinary citizens.

Central to this policy is a requirement for licensing under a centralised, government-controlled system. In the hands of a dictator, such a mechanism becomes a potent weapon. Media outlets and journalists operate at the mercy of the state. Those who refuse to conform, or who dare to expose corruption and abuses of power, face harsh reprisals.

Journalists are particularly vulnerable. Recent pre-trial detention cases—such as that of Blessing Mhlanga and, before him, Hopewell Chin’ono—demonstrate the real consequences of exposing the corruption and shenanigans of the ruling elite, as well as speaking truth to power. Under this policy, reporters who shine a light on government failures or corruption risk imprisonment.

Foreign journalists are also targeted. They must obtain security clearance from the intelligence services, pay hefty fees, and surrender copies of any documentaries produced during their stay in Zimbabwe. This not only discourages external scrutiny but also tightens the regime’s grip on its international image.

Clause 4.8 (Page 31) of the policy outlines a chilling array of penalties: loss of licenses or accreditation, forced content removal or blocking, mandatory apologies and corrections, disqualification from media awards, and potential legal action.

Big Brother is not just watching us —he is silencing us.

Breaking the Momentum

Details: Written by: The Commentator - FB; Category: Take2Zimbabwe; Published: 11 May 2025; Hits: 422

Even If We Can’t Change the Government—We Must Break the Momentum of Looting.

The idea of political change in Zimbabwe feels like chasing a mirage. We’ve watched stolen elections, dead-end reforms, and opposition parties muzzled into irrelevance. But while change at the top may seem frozen, the bleeding hasn’t stopped. In fact, it’s speeding up.

Every day ZANU-PF stays in power is another day of looting dressed up as "development." Gold smuggled. Diamond proceeds vanished. Multi-million-dollar tenders handed to shell companies run by cousins and cronies. State land parceled out like sweets at a party. It’s not politics anymore—it’s organized theft wearing a liberation war medal.

But here’s the kicker: even if we can’t unseat the looters right now, we can still slow them down. We can break their momentum.

How?

1. Expose the Networks.
Corruption thrives in darkness. We need to drag dirty deals into the sunlight—name the companies, trace the shell accounts, connect the dots between minister and money. Digital whistleblowing, open-source sleuthing, and people who aren’t afraid to speak can gum up the gears.
2. Target the Enablers.
Every looter has a banker. A lawyer. A quiet civil servant who signs the papers. A businessman who plays middleman for stolen resources. If we can’t touch the powerful directly, we can disrupt their supply chains—call out collaborators, boycott their businesses, make silence a liability.
3. Empower Local Voices.
When people understand how the looting affects them—why clinics have no painkillers, why roads are pothole galleries, why their savings turn to dust—they stop being passive. We need to translate the billions stolen into the bread and blood ordinary people lose.
4. Use Digital Firepower.
Forget waiting for a newspaper headline. Social media is the new frontline. If 10,000 people share one dirty tender. If a viral video names one corrupt deal. If an exposé forces one apology. That’s momentum broken. Even for a day, it counts.
5. Preserve the Evidence.
One day, this will end. And when it does, justice will depend on what we remembered. Keep receipts. Archive stories. Record testimony. The day of reckoning needs a paper trail.

ZANU-PF's looting isn't just a result of power—it is the reason they cling to power. They’re not afraid of elections. They’re afraid of accountability.

We may not hold the keys to State House yet. But if we let the looting continue unchallenged, we’ll have nothing left to rebuild with when change finally comes.
So let’s fight. Let’s document. Let’s disrupt. Let’s break their rhythm.
Because while we wait for change at the top, we can still stop the rot below.
#TheCommentator #Zimbabwe #StopTheLooting #ExposeCorruption

Mnangagwa vs Traore

Details: Written by: Victor Simon and DeepSeek AI; Category: ZEXIT; Published: 11 May 2025; Hits: 460

Capt Ibrahim Traoré: Burkina Faso's new military ruler

Comparative Leadership: Ibrahim Traoré vs Emmerson Mnangagwa

Ibrahim Traoré (Burkina Faso)

Traoré, a young military leader, took power in 2022 and is known for his pragmatic, security-focused leadership style1 2.
He has prioritized military campaigns against jihadist groups, reforms for good governance, anti-corruption, and economic recovery1 7.
Traoré’s popularity has risen, especially among youth, for his bold reforms and practical approach to Burkina Faso’s immediate crises1 7.
However, he has extended his transitional mandate, postponed elections, and dissolved his government, raising concerns about democratic backsliding2 7.

Emmerson Mnangagwa (Zimbabwe)

Mnangagwa, a veteran politician, became president in 2017 after decades in government3 4.
He initially promised economic reforms, anti-corruption measures, and international re-engagement4.
Despite some achievements, Zimbabwe remains plagued by economic stagnation, political turmoil, and allegations of ongoing corruption and repression5.
Mnangagwa currently faces internal party divisions, public protests, and accusations of seeking to extend his rule beyond constitutional limits5.

Leadership Comparison Table

Aspect	Ibrahim Traoré (Burkina Faso)	Emmerson Mnangagwa (Zimbabwe)
*Background*	Military, youngest African leader	Liberation war veteran, long-time politician
Key Focus	Security, anti-corruption, reforms	Economic recovery, anti-corruption, political stability
Popularity	High, especially among youth7	Waning, facing protests and party splits5
Democratic Record	Extended transition, delayed elections2 7	Accused of seeking unconstitutional third term5
Economic Progress	Early reforms, results pending7	Limited progress, ongoing crisis5

Conclusion

No Government Evident in Zimbabwe

Details: Written by: John C Burke; Category: 45 years; Published: 17 April 2025; Hits: 422

Why do the World's Press, Governments and Academics, treat the Zanu PF Regime/administration in Zimbabwe as a Government?

UPDATE 18th APRIL 2025: Copy of our 45 years since Zimbabwe's Independence Petition as delivered to the PM and FCDO on the 18th April 2025 {CLICK HERE}

They are clearly and evidently a military mafia!

For 45 years they have dominated all the citizenry with intimidation based on gencode (Gukurahundi), Abductions, Torture and the campaigns of RAPE - yet they are still treated as a government?
In effect for 45 years the psychotic elite within Zanu PF have conducted a ruthless psychological campaign upon all Zimbabwean to remain in POWER - which appears to be their ONLY motivation - yet they are still treated as a government?
The ruling (non-democratic - or nothing like a democracy) regime has robbed & stolen all & any Wealth out of Zimbabwe - for their personal enrichment - yet they are still treated as a government?
The military mafia has deliberately and ruthlessly occupied/invaded/conquered every facet of the civic administration of Zimbabwe: the Military, The Police, the Electroral Commission, the Judiciary and more - yet they are still treated as a government?
At the same time they have not lifted a finger to maintain or update the high quality Infrastructure of the Ian Smith Government left to them on the 18th April 1980. Roads, Bridges, Rail, Air Lines, Surface Drainage, Flood Controls, Water Supply, Power Supply and lastly Sewage system - all are now a mere shadow of what was left to them. Worse - they are now a danger to the general population, in terms of health and safety. Mortailty and Maternal Mortality numbers are of grave concern - yet they are still treated as a government?

Whilst the blame lies squarely with the selfish, violent, criminal, corrupt morons within Zanu PF - one cannot help to wonder WHY the rest of the WORLD TREATS THEM AS A GOVERNMENT?

To illustrate this point let us shine a bright light upon the ZiG - something we said at launch that it was ANOTHER FRAUD! Yet Institutuion blindly took the Zanu PF clowns at their Word!

The long-term prognosis for Zimbabwe's ZiG currency, introduced in April 2024 as a gold-backed solution to chronic currency instability, appears precarious based on recent analyses, including Bloomberg articles and other sources. Below, I outline the key factors influencing its outlook, the debate over its gold backing, and the broader economic context, while critically examining the challenges and prospects.

1. Gold Backing: Sufficiency and Credibility

The ZiG, short for Zimbabwe Gold, is officially backed by a combination of gold, foreign currency reserves, and other precious metals, with the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) claiming US$629 million in hard assets as of April 2024. Specific claims include 1.1 tonnes of gold worth approximately US$175 million and US$100 million in foreign currency reserves at launch. Additionally, the RBZ has reported increasing gold reserves due to rising royalty payments and higher global gold prices, which rose 24% since April 2024.

However, the sufficiency of this backing is debated:

Skepticism Over Reserves: Critics question whether Zimbabwe’s gold reserves are adequate to support the ZiG’s value, especially given the country’s history of mismanaging monetary policy. The IMF has cautioned that the ZiG alone cannot address deeper economic issues, suggesting that the gold backing may not inspire sufficient confidence.
Opaque Reserve Management: There is limited transparency regarding the actual size and management of Zimbabwe’s gold and foreign currency reserves. Past currency failures, like the Zimbabwean dollar’s collapse in 2008, fuel distrust in the RBZ’s ability to maintain credible backing.
Economic Pressures: Zimbabwe’s need for large grain imports and government overspending strain foreign currency reserves, potentially undermining the ZiG’s backing. By February 2025, the ZiG had lost 95% of its value on the unregulated market despite gold price increases, indicating that market forces and lack of trust outweigh the theoretical stability of gold backing.

While the gold backing provides a theoretical anchor, its effectiveness is undermined by low public confidence, limited reserve transparency, and external economic pressures. The RBZ’s claim of spending over US$400 million to support the ZiG since April 2024 further suggests that the reserves may be stretched thin.

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