The sudden removal of ZANU-PF Member of Parliament Energy Mutodi as chair of the Budget and Finance Committee has been described as an unconstitutional act by critics, who claim it was carried out by a group seeking to keep control over public funds. Parliament members are required by section 119 of the Constitution to hold the executive and all state institutions accountable. They also have absolute privilege and the right to free speech in parliamentary debates. Mutodi raised concerns about alleged bribery involving George Guvamatanga, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, and pointed to direct Treasury payments that have appeared in Auditor General reports and reportedly bypassed standard oversight.
In 2024, reports say that $2 billion in payments were made directly by Guvamatanga, actions that critics argue violate Treasury instructions, the Public Finance Management Act, and the constitution. These concerns were already public knowledge and not new disclosures. Observers view Mutodi’s removal as an attack on parliamentary independence and constitutional protections. Critics argue that Speaker Jacob Mudenda’s involvement in the decision reflects political ambitions linked to the 2030 agenda, which they say combines corruption with efforts to maintain power and threatens Zimbabwe’s stability.
In 2024, reports say that $2 billion in payments were made directly by Guvamatanga, actions that critics argue violate Treasury instructions, the Public Finance Management Act, and the constitution. These concerns were already public knowledge and not new disclosures. Observers view Mutodi’s removal as an attack on parliamentary independence and constitutional protections. Critics argue that Speaker Jacob Mudenda’s involvement in the decision reflects political ambitions linked to the 2030 agenda, which they say combines corruption with efforts to maintain power and threatens Zimbabwe’s stability.
