Harare – Eddie Cross, President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s biographer and former opposition politician, has been compelled to issue a public apology to the President and his family after accusing them of corruption in a recent television interview. The unprecedented move follows a summons to State House, where Cross was reportedly confronted over his allegations.
The controversy stems from an interview Cross gave to a South African television station, Newzroom Afrika, on March 31. During the interview, Cross stated that there was deep-rooted corruption in Zimbabwe and alleged that some of Mnangagwa’s children were involved.
He said the corruption had fuelled anger that saw Zimbabweans join a protest organised by expelled Zanu PF central committee member Blessed Geza, who has been demanding Mnangagwa’s resignation for alleged incompetence and corruption.
“The problem is his not been able to tackle some of the fundamental problems we have for example, he has not tackled corruption in fact there’s lots of evidence that his own family is deeply corrupt, that some of his children are engaged in criminal activity on a large scale and he’s not tackled that and I think if he would tackle a few of those, I mean the amount of money being stolen here is just enormous it probably exceeds our national budget,” said Cross.
The interview, which aired ahead of planned protests, quickly drew condemnation from Mnangagwa’s allies.
In an interview with New Zimbabwe, Cross confirmed the authenticity of his letter which was made public, saying that in the meeting with Mnangagwa, he was asked to provide evidence of his claims which he says he could not give, hence the apology and withdrawal of his unfounded statement.
Cross said a day after the interview with Mnangagwa where he told him that he recognised that he should not have involved his family.
“On Monday the 31st of March I gave an interview to a South African television Station regarding the stay away that took place that day across the country.
“In that interview I stated that one of the reasons for this event was dissatisfaction with the very substantial corruption taking place across the country. I also stated that the Presidents family were involved.
“On Tuesday I requested a meeting with the President and told him that I recognised that I should not have involved his family, and I apologised unreservedly.
“He expressed concern about the substance of my general allegations on the magnitude of corruption and asked that I substantiate this. I agreed to provide him with a dossier of what I understand is going on. On the issue of his children being involved, he asked who was implicated and I identified 3 (three) of his sons.
“On Wednesday I returned to State House to discuss this further with the three men involved and I outlined what I was hearing about but could not provide firm evidence to support these allegations and rumours. I again apologised and said I would withdraw my statement on this matter,” reads the letter.
Cross said he met with Mnangagwa where he told him that he recognised that he should not have involved his family.
“I apologised unreservedly,” he said. “He expressed concern about the substance of my general allegations on the magnitude of corruption and asked that I substantiate this.
“I agreed to provide him with a dossier of what I understand is going on.
“On the issue of his children being involved, he asked who was implicated and I identified three of his sons.
“Wednesday I returned to State House to discuss this further with the three men involved and I outlined what I was hearing about, but could not provide firm evidence to support these allegations and rumours.
“I again apologised and said I would withdraw my statement on this matter.”
As he left the meeting, Cross is said to have met first lady Auxillia Mnangagwa who angrily confronted him over the matter.
The incident highlights the sensitivity surrounding allegations of corruption, particularly when they involve the President’s family.
Edward Graham Cross is a prominent Zimbabwean economist, President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s biographer and former opposition politician.
Alleged corruption by Mnangagwa’s loyalists has taken the centre stage in the Zanu PF infighting over his succession.
In January Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga railed against people that he said were using their proximity to power to amass wealth at the expense of Zimbaabweans.
“Zimbabwe belongs to all of us. We must share its God-given bounty, share its bounty equally so no-one – not even the weak, the widowed or the orphaned are displaced or elbowed out by the strong in a mad rat-race to grab unmerited privileges. Corruption has to end,” Chiwenga said at the time.
“Our Vision 2030 is for all of us, not those that you call mbinga (corrupt tenderpreneurs). During the war we referred to them as zvigananda (leeches): those who grow big tummies through ill-gotten wealth and questionable morals!“
Zanu PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa recently said Mnangagwa was using the 2030 campaign as part of a plot to sideline Chiwengwa in the succession race.
Mnangagwa’s loyalists are pushing for the VP to be fired to end any chances of him becoming Zimbabwe’s next leader.
The apology has sparked mixed reactions, with some criticising Cross for making unsubstantiated claims, while others view it as a sign of the pressure faced by those who speak out against corruption in Zimbabwe.
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