The curious case of Energy Mutodi

MOSES MATENGA/KUDAKWASHE CHIBVURI

The removal of Bikita South Member of Parliament, Energy Mutodi, as chairperson of the Budget, Finance and Investment Promotion has set tongues wagging amid fury from self-proclaimed anti-graft advocates while he has come under heavy criticism for playing to the gallery and ignoring basic Parliamentary protocol in the process.

Mutodi last week sensationally claimed that Finance Ministry Permanent Secretary, George Guvamatanga was corrupt and receiving kick-backs from companies mainly in the construction sector to push their interests.

He mentioned Bitumen World as one of the companies Guvamatanga had siphoned money from.

Mutodi took to X, to vent his emotions saying: “A life of suffering, Mwari vanoziva havo (only God knows).”

Though many have come out in support of Mutodi for attempting to expose corruption, it was his approach that has received widespread condemnation.

“It is good that he had the courage to raise concerns on corruption but the challenge with such allegations is that he will need to be standing on firm ground and what a better way if he had, as chairperson, used the proper Parliamentary Committees and channels to make these allegations based of course on evidence that either the committee or himself holds based on inquires that the committee has the powers to institute,” political analyst Rashweat Mukundu told Business Times yesterday.

“Corruption is a challenge in Zimbabwe but efforts to fight corruption are harmed by allegations that are unsubstantiated so if you are holding such a key position and you make allegations that you can’t prove or stand by, then what you are ultimately doing is to undermine efforts to fight corruption,” he said.

Another analyst, Takura Zhangazha, said Mutodi did not follow procedure hence there was nothing wrong with what Parliament did.

“There are certain rules that portfolio committee chairpersons have to follow. They have to do hearings and reports which they also submit to the SROC which approves those reports and then they are tabled as official reports of inquiries to allegations of corruption. There is no big procedural question around MP Mutodi’s removal from his position. He did not follow Parliamentary procedures.”

He, however, said though he did not follow procedure, those accused still have a burden to disprove them.

Analyst Engineer Jacob Mutisi said there is no political persecution in the case of Mutodi adding that he failed to adhere to protocol.

“This breach of Parliamentary decorum undermined the established processes for oversight and accountability. Parliamentary committees are expected to engage relevant officials formally, record proceedings, and table reports in the House, not on social media,” Mutisi said.

“While citizens demand openness, Parliament insists on following institutional channels. Unfortunately, this sometimes leads to perceptions that whistle-blowers are being punished, even when the real issue is one of timing and formality,” he added.

“Mutodi should have followed procedure. Oversight remains a crucial pillar of democracy, but it must be exercised with respect for due process. Whether Dr Mutodi’s revelations will still be investigated remains to be seen, but his fall from the committee chairmanship underscores the delicate balance between truth-telling and institutional discipline in Zimbabwe’s political arena.”

It’s plain idiocy, says Charamba

Deputy Chief Secretary, George Charamba also took to microblogging site, X, to criticise Mutodi’s approach on the matter and saluted the Speaker of Parliament for a bold move to remove the former musician from the post.

“It’s plain idiocy for a chairperson of a committee of Parliament to jump past his Committee to make defamatory allegations,” Charamba wrote.

“It is the ultimate expression of lack of faith in the processes of Parliament and the bit in that which you preside over. Then you have little ignoramuses who personalise a decision of the Executive Committee of Parliament in order to damn a man.”

Charamba added: “Thank you Speaker (of Parliament) for upholding the integrity of Parliament and doctrine of separation of powers. Parliaments use hearings to make a case, no bald, defamatory allegations against the Executive. It is this whole opposition ethos and expectation that Zanu PF personalities and institutions can advance opposition agenda while the opposition itself wallows in stupidity and internecine conflicts. The hope for power as manna from Zanu PF.”

Last week, Mutodi alleged that Guvamatanga was demanding kickbacks of between five and 10 percent from contractors, ministries and government departments in return for releasing budgeted funds.

He claimed road contractor Bitumen had been forced to pay US$200,000 for every US$2 million in weekly payments authorised by Guvamatanga, while parliament itself had been starved of resources after refusing to pay bribes.

Mutodi further alleged that the former Barclays Bank CEO had accumulated more than US$1 billion in wealth, boasting over 5,000 dairy cattle, multiple mansions and luxury equipment despite being a civil servant.

Bitumen World rubbished Mutodi’s claims in a statement yesterday.

“Bitumen World trading as Bitumen would like to dissociate itself from the post made by Energy Mutodi to the extent that the contents thereof relate to it. We categorically state that we have not received any solicitations from Mr George Guvamatanga,” the company said.

But in all the storm, Mutodi has found sympathy, and its mainly from opposition activists.

Opposition MP Gladys Hlatywayo said: “The Archbishops of corruption are rattled at the mention of their evil deeds! Two Chairpersons of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Budget, Finance and Investment Promotion have so far been unceremoniously relieved of their duties for similar reasons in this 10th Parliament. Pathetic. Expect more persecution. They are even more vicious against their own.”

Many believe he is a victim.

But Mutodi has been known for waltzing in and out of scandals.

In 2020, the former Geography teacher was fired as deputy Information Minister after clashing with then Minister, Monica Mutsvangwa.

He also clashed with the late former Foreign Affairs Minister Sibusiso Moyo and took to X, then Twitter to vent.

He wrote: “Living in fear of the Chris Mutsvangwa-SB Moyo coalition. I hope it won’t resort to wartime tactics. Appealing for prayers.”

Days later, he was out of office.

Mutodi has been arrested on several occasions for crimes politically related and some to do with fraud.