Temba Mliswa Hints at Political Machinations in High-Profile Corruption Case

Temba Mliswa :The political climate in Zimbabwe is rife with subterfuge, power struggles, and undercurrents that are frequently alluded to but never fully explored. These intricate relationships are present in the corruption prosecution of Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu, who are charged with embezzling US$7.7 million from the Presidential Goat Pass-On Scheme. Remarkably, Temba Mliswa, the former provincial chairman of ZANU PF, has become interested in the matter because he thinks there is more to it than meets the eye.

The two men have been detained for several months while they await their October 22 trial. Not only have the charges in the trial attracted interest, but ZTN is live-broadcasting the proceedings. This in and of itself caused some to take notice, especially Mliswa, who implies that the live coverage indicates the participation of invisible, potentially evil, forces operating behind the scenes.

Particularly considering the nature of the case, such public trials are uncommon in Zimbabwe. The decision to allow live coverage appears to be less about transparency and more of a deliberate action by unknown individuals trying to disgrace the accused. Mliswa does not provide a name, but rumors circulate among political analysts that there is a connection to Wicknell Chivayo, an ex-convict with strong ties to President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Mliswa’s enigmatic charges shed light on a convoluted struggle for power. There is more to this than a simple legal dispute, according to claims that Chimombe and Mpofu were singled out because they revealed damning information about Chivayo and high state officials. The two appear to have become entangled in a risky game of revenge, vengeance, and power struggles.

Such accusations are hardly surprising in a culture where power and riches frequently control the course of justice. The assertion made by Mliswa that Chimombe’s arrest should continue despite his tenuous ties to the corruption case casts doubt on the independence of the court system. The focus of the proceedings is more on delivering a message—one that is predetermined by those with power behind closed doors—than on Chimombe’s real participation in the plot.

What’s still amazing is that these unseen forces don’t function in total darkness. Under the cover of political theater, the public is subjected to subtle but unquestionable manipulation of the legal system.Mliswa, a seasoned political manipulator himself, seems all too familiar with this game. He remembers being persecuted himself by now-retired Police Commissioner Augustine Chihuri. His message is very clear: individuals who abuse authority will not always prevail because power fluctuates.

There has already been a cycle like this in Zimbabwean politics. Those in favor today can just as easily fall tomorrow. A clear reminder of how wealthy elites can use their clout to settle scores by using the legal system to further their agenda is provided by the case against Chimombe and Mpofu. However, past events have demonstrated that even the most powerful individuals can be overthrown when circumstances shift.

The presence of these covert participants suggests something considerably more substantial than a corruption trial. It alludes to the internal conflicts within ZANU PF, where control is ephemeral and influence is valuable. Mliswa’s veiled reference to a “third hand”—a powerful entity controlling events from the shadows—adds yet more element to Zimbabwe’s intricate political conundrum.

In this instance, it seems that the trial is more about asserting authority than it is about justice. What’s telling is Mliswa’s allegation that Chimombe, who was not involved in negotiating the disputed goat trade, remains behind bars while the show unfolds on national television. It presents a dismal image of a political system in which those on the margins suffer while justice can be bent to the advantage of those with power and resources.

The people of Zimbabwe are aware that bigger corruption cases, like the infamous Sandura Commission, never received the same level of public attention as this one. However, this trial is being televised for the world to see, demonstrating the extent to which money and power can sway both the court system and public opinion.

The implication of Mliswa’s remarks is that authority is ephemeral and control is subject to change. He reminds us that ZANU PF is not a puppet to be used at the whim of the rich, and that those in charge will eventually have to answer for their actions. In the words of Mliswa himself, “One day zvinopera chete.” Money and power can only purchase so much leverage in Zimbabwe’s political system.

It’s becoming increasingly evident that there is more going on in Zimbabwe’s power corridors than simply the two individuals facing corruption charges as the October trial date draws near. Ultimately, this trial might not be so much about the guilt of Chimombe and Mpofu as it will be about who really controls the narrative in Zimbabwe’s constantly changing political environment.

The Zim Bulletin