Central Bank Governor sues Zanu PF youth leader

June 27, 2019
| Report Focus News

Harare-Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) Governor John Mangudya is suing Zanu PF deputy youth secretary Lewis Matutu over utterances made by the latter insinuating that Mangudya was corrupt.

Matutu on Monday released a list of alleged corrupt politicians, individuals and top government officials among them Mangudya.

Mangudya has instructed his lawyers to lodge an application with the courts and is now demanding ZWL$1 million in damages.

“We have instructions from our client to demand immediate retraction of the statements via public press conference and public notice coupled with the publication of a written apology to our client signed by each of you personally and on behalf of the Zanu PF youth league for injury caused to his reputation,” Kantor and Immerman wrote to Matutu.

“We also have instructions to claim damages from you jointly and severally. We estimate our client’s damages at $1 million.”

Through his lawyers, the central bank chief said the allegations are wholly unsubstantiated and have tarnished his name and reputation locally and internationally, as he is a well-respected regulator, former banker and public official.

“The whole statement and your utterances on the occasion are per se defamatory of our client and in addition you impute dishonest and unethical regulatory practices and or management conduct, bias, as well as bad and reckless business practices,” the Apex Bank chief argued.

Matutu has been given five days to comply or face charges. Among those implicated are cabinet Ministers Priscah Mupfumira and Jorum Gumbo. Zanu PF secretary for administration Obert Mpofu, Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda, businessman Wicknell Chivayo and Henrietta Rushwaya.