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Axed Minister of Energy Fortune Chasi has dismissed exiled former minister of higher and tertiary education Prof Jonathan Moyo claims that he was fired from his Ministerial position for ordering an investigation into a USD $1.2 billion deal
Jonathan Moyo made claims on Twitter alleging that Fortune Chasi was dismissed from his position for attempting to block the lucrative deal
Chasi was dismissed by President Mnangagwa last week Friday on allegations that he had exhibited conduct inconsistent with the president’s expectations and unspecified acts of misconduct.
Various reports claimed that his dismissal was fuelled by the Gata , Zesa issue.
However , in a series of tweets on Sunday night Jonathan Moyo claimed to know the cause on why Chasi was fired.
According to him Chasi was dismissed for attempting to investigate the $1.2 billion Sotic international deal a company which he linked to fuel tycoon Kuda Tagwirei.
“In May 2019 Mnangagwa and SB Moyo stole USD 1,2 billion disguised as a State loan from SOTIC INTERNATIONAL, fronted by Kuda Tagwirei. The theft was structured by SB, using NOIC assets as mortgage. Chasi found out, tried to reverse it and got fired yesterday.
“So, Fortune Chasi was fired not because of #Zesa affairs but because his conduct in investigating & seeking to cancel the USD 1,2 billion SOTIC deal at NOIC is INCOMPATIBLE with Mnangagwa’s EXPECTATIONS as a beneficiary of the SOTIC deal along with SB Moyo & Kuda Tagwirei!
“Criminally, the SOTIC USD 1,2 billion was structured by @MinisterSBMoyo, who got USD 12 million for “structuring it”; and it was sent to #NOIC after it had already been approved by @edmnangagwa, @FinanceZim & @ReserveBankZIM; with USD 1,2 billion paid to PRIVATE ACCOUNTS!
“Either bravely or naively, after his investigation, @fortunechasi sought an alternative to the SOTIC deal & negotiated it with GLENCORE. But no alternative was possible to implement; without costing SOTIC its USD 12 million a month or refunding the USD 1,2 billion advance!” Moyo said.
In response to Prof Jonathan claims Chasi denied through tweets on Sunday anything of that sort stating that he was not involved in any investigation.
“I have seen a set of tweets by Jonathan Moyo suggesting that I caused an investigation into what he calls the SOTIC deal. I have no knowledge of this deal nor did I cause the alleged investigation. I am not sure what the source of the investigation is nor the motive.”
“In my entire tenure at the ministry, I never caused any investigation or enquiry into anything at NOIC. I had no issues at that level. “ Chasi said.
The former Minister added that I don’t harbour any bitterness regarding my current position. I accept the decision to relieve me of my position as that is the President’s prerogative. I remain committed to serve in any capacity whatsoever.
Meanwhile ,government has also dismissed Prof Jonathan claims as false and said that no such deal was ever done.
Ministry of Finance and Economic Development Permanent Secretary Mr George Guvamatanga on Sunday said, “The information is false the value of the pipeline is US$300 million. Sotic could only lend money that it would have raised from its bankers, unless it had free cash flows.
“Which bank would lend you US$1.2 billion against security of an asset worth US$300 million? One of the critical tenets of lending is the purpose of the loan and the source of repayment. An international lender would not conduct adequate due diligence and lend a country $1,2 billion which will then be fraudulently diverted.”
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