LOCAL business mogul John Moxon, widely regarded as one of the richest men in Zimbabwe, has nailed his political colours firmly to the Zanu PF mast by donating brand new vehicles to spearhead the party’s campaign for crucial general elections later this year, the Zimbabwe Independent has established.
Brian Chitemba/Owen Gagare
Informed sources said Moxon, Meikles Africa Ltd chairman, handed over the vehicles to Zanu PF secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa at the party headquarters last year to boost President Robert Mugabe and his party’s bid to remain in power.
The cash-strapped Zanu PF has acquired 550 vehicles at a cost of about US$14 million for its election campaigns, despite failing to pay party workers for months, resulting in speculation over the source of funding with many believing they had been purchased using diamond proceeds.
For three years in a row, Zanu PF admitted during its annual conferences it was broke despite fears it has built a war chest for elections from Marange diamond revenues, although events suggest the party might actually be bankrupt.
Since the introduction of the multi-currency regime, Zanu PF has been relying on an overdraft with a local bank which amounted to US$5 million in February last year.
The funding was converted into a loan of US$4,5 million and a US$500 000 overdraft which attracts an 11% interest per annum, resulting in an unsustainable repayment obligation of US$125 000 per month.
Its total expenditure for last year was US$7,9 million, with a huge chunk going towards staff salaries (US$2,4 million), Gweru conference (US$2,6 million) and loan repayment and establishment fees (US$1,7 million).
Highly-placed sources told the Independent the party was relying heavily on donations –– which amounted to US$2,6 million last year –– to fund its activities.
Moxon –– once targeted by Zanu PF bigwigs during the controversial Kingdom Meikles Africa Ltd demerger saga — reportedly played an important role in the acquisition of an assortment of single and double-cab 4×4 vehicles, including ranges of Toyota Hilux, Nissan NP300s, Ford Ranger and Mazda BT50s.
Curiously, around the same time, Moxon’s flagship company Meikles Africa Ltd, formed a mining arm, Meikles Resources (Pvt) Ltd, and applied for a diamond mining licence currently being considered by the Mines ministry, with the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC) as a possible partner in a joint venture.
ZMDC chairman Goodwills Masimirembwa confirmed this week his organisation was considering Meikles Resources’ application for a joint venture mining operation in the diamond-rich Chiadzwa minefields.
In the group’s interim results for the period to September 30 2012, Moxon said profits from Meikles Resources were expected to exceed those anticipated for the entire group over the coming years and would therefore be of material significance.
It was not clear whether the vehicle donation was linked to the application for the diamond mining licence although sources said the two could not be separated.
However, Moxon said Meikles had not supplied vehicles, but said a company “with whom we have a connection” donated some vehicles, claiming he was not sure of the beneficiary.
“A company with whom we have a connection donated a small number of vehicles, but I’m not sure exactly whom they were donated to as we have not seen any registration certificates,” said Moxon.
He said 500 or more vehicles would cost over US$15 million, adding no one connected to him would have that kind of money.
Zanu PF spokesperson Rugare Gumbo declined to comment, referring questions to Mutasa.
When approached for comment, Mutasa said: “Tell me who is the source of your story. If you can’t tell me then I won’t comment.”
When the Independent refused to reveal its sources, Mutasa said: “I can neither confirm nor deny the story.”
Moxon is a Businessman, and now knows where his bread is buttered.
We must understand that third world investments requires one to oil the rulers, whilst they loot poor people’s resources.
Maybe its Pick’n Pay
we need ethical business and good corporate governance. this looks fishy. just after making an application for a lucrative diamond license they go on to donate a substantial amount to zanu pf.
firstly this man is not a businessman in the strikest sense of being a entrepreneur, he made his money from the colonia days farming on land he robbed from blacks and then paying pittance wages to our ancestors
dah ! you got it in one !
run with the hare and hunt with the hounds…
Yet if MDC receives a bicycle from a white man they are dubbed sellouts
We are a finished People
Good bye TM i will never buy even a sweet from them and i am closing my Barbours a/c. Corruption yakadai??????
Thanx Independent!!!!
These are the issues we expect the new constitution to deal with. i agree with icho. At any moment one has a choice let us all boycott Moxon’s investments TM Barbours etc. He is too greedy and would rather see the rest of zimbabwe suffering under perpetual Zanu Pf tyranical rule as long as he is making money.
I agree with your sentiments. This is where descening civic organisations could lead campaigns, like if there was a body promoting good governance.
wise up ! evryone has a price.
this is a much bigger game than meikles hotels & tm supermarkets.
boycotting ? forget it !
Diamond mine concessions and money laundering !
Unfortunately it seems to get ahead in business you have to play dirty and oil all the corrupt machines to keep going. This only makes them greedier and it becomes a large hole that has to be kept fed. I agree with some of the comments here, don’t buy from Meikles or related business, show them that we, the people, have the power. I don’t believe business should get involved in any form with any govt, MDC or ZANU PF. If they cannot manage their own finances and business, then they certainly cannot manage a whole country. If this is true Moxon, then shame on you. Perhaps you should take your ill gotten gains and leave this place to honest, hard working people.
Shapiro and icho you really think the cents you use at TM make any significant economic sense?. Moxon’s transaction if it is anything to go by just goes to show Zanu Pf has departed without leaving. It is a party for the future and naturally it is sensible to side with the strong side not the underdog. It,therefore, goes to tell that Moxon knows were his bread is buttered. Surely MDC-T politics can only provides juicy for the hungry tummies, no bread, no butter. He has refused to be associated with politics of askaris that have painted many of us in Zimbabwe.
Yes the $$$ we use at TM, Barbours, Meikles Hotel do make a difference thats why they are opened for business!!! Its more of the corruption that disgust pple like and you are celebrating it and thats the difference btween u & me. Its not abt Zanu or Mdc pal but i wonder though if u would have said the same if he had donated even a push cart to mdc. And he would by now hav been deported-to nowhere!!!!
This is just the trend anywhere you go in this world, particularly in the hallowed western democracies. Big money and politics are very cosy bedfellows. Remember Tiny Rowland and how he used to curry favour with Zanu PF before and after independence? Capitalists like John Moxon simply want to safeguard their interests, irregardless of who they are in bed with. I wouldn’t be surprised if it is revealed that he is also bankrolling MDC(T) indirectly. Boycotting their businesses is as ineffective as farting in in a galestorm. Almost every other product or service one buys in Zimbabwe is intricately linked to some ZANU (PF) aligned politician. Besides, it is very difficult to draw the line with public companies such as Meikles Limited.
Simpleton, sure you are a simpleton true to the name. If you boycott a business and all civilised people who hate corruption do then Moxon is gone. It is only because the country is made up of many simpletons we are left with this fiasco. It does not matter if he does it to ZanuPf or MDC it is just wrong. How much are his workers earning anyway? Would it not be well if he had paid bonuses to his workers, that goes to show how cheeky these fools can be.
Is he privy to the election results already for him to behave like this? at this stage it helps to play your cards well, though i know MDC is not a reprisal party.
Zanu PF says down with the whites yet it is sponsored by the very whites . it talks of 51% shares to indigenes yet the zhingaz Chinese control 90 % of Anjin mine diamonds . Ever seen worse lunatics than these ?
Iwe amused, dont get it twisted. zanu pf is not a racist party. what they condemn is racist whites who think their way of doing things is the only way zimbabwe should follow.
Who decides which whites are racists and who are not; ZANU PF of course and why because if any white who does not dance to their tune is racist and those who dance to their mantra is not a racist. New definition of racist for you MDC T NO CONDOM. Your definition is totally wrong the correct one is those who do not think ZANU way, sing ZANU way, dance ZANU way, slogan ZANU way and everything ZANU then they are not racist.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with John Moxon donating to a party he knows will win the next elections.
This is normal the world over.
Even in the US, oil barons control the government & dictate what should be done to save their interest first.
In the UK gay gangsters directly sponsor Cameron hence the gay rights fiasco currently a big debate in the UK.
This is just BS, this is hypocrisy of the highest order…you can’t sugar coat it at all no jombo…No surprise though…this has always been ZANU PF’s way. Thing is if ZANU wins the election..they will have no qualms in making Moxon a sacrificial lamb if it benefits them in some way.
There’s an orange farmer just outside of Chegutu on the road to Kadoma…the man was a ZANU PF sponsor for years…he donated millions over the years yet that did not save his farm when the the ZANU PF bigwigs came. ZANU PF is made up of vile creatures who cannot be trusted…do so at your own peril Moxon, you have been warned.
You may refuse and say watever you want but we know it all. We know that your main sponsor include Bill the guy who owns Greenfuels. And added to that we now have Moxon then the Chinese. We know it all that any white person who comes your side becomes indegenous and any white who is against you is a foreigner who does not deserve even to have a 300sqm stand in Highfields, Harare. We know it all just that if we talk you make us disappear but kunyarara hakusikupusa. We know that you like most all those who are there to destroy the future of our country; those who amass wealth illegaly like Moxon and Bill; we know it all. And now you have destroyed the lives of two or more generations to come in Zimbabwe simply because you want to rule the country. If you win another term thats a third to fourth generations killed. That will be the end of Zimbabwe. We know it all just that we cant say anything lest u kill us.
THATS BS!
No story here.As someone indicated in this blog,a business man knows who butters their bread.this practice is found everywhere.In the USA republican business man naturally donates to their party,whilst democrat businessman donate to democrats.That’s democracy at work.
Jus boycott bying fro TM lets unite on this
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Do you not recall his interview in which he stated that the government would start to “they’ll start to rape and pillage”. That is how he views us Zimbabweans.
Poor judgment on part of Moxon. Did he factor in the possibility of Zanu PF losing? Or is he relying on his millions to endear him to the new leaders. Phunyukabemphembe/mbonisi here is one to add to the vocabulary – white Gukurahundi.
See for yourselves
http://ir.meiklesinvestor.com/profiles/investor/ResLibraryView.asp?ResLibraryID=60317&BzID=1668&t=1427&g=431&Nav=0&LangID=1&s=0