Mnangagwa's son speaks on corruption allegations

President Emmerson Mnangagwa's son,  Collins Mnangagwa, has furiously denied allegations that he is part of the company which pocketed almost US$1 million after supplying the government with grossly inflated coronavirus (Covid-19) equipment. Drax International charged the government a massive US$987 720 for coronavirus equipment and test kits which can be sourced locally for maximum US$325 000.

The deal caused outrage when it was revealed that the government procured face masks at an exorbitant US$28 per unit when the same face masks can be bought in retail pharmacies forUS$3 – US$5. This resulted in allegations that Drax International which is fronted by one Delish Nguwaya got the contract because Nguwaya is friends with Collins. He is alleged to have used his proximity to the First Family to make the Ministry of Finance push through the payment, despite the fact that it has suspended Covid-19 procurement. Some other publications claimed that Collins and Nguwaya are actually business partners.

Collins Mnangagwa has since released a statement denying the allegations and threatened to sue.  In the statement which was shared by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Nick Mangwana, Collins claims that he does not have a business or personal relationship with Nguwaya.

Below is the statement which Collings Mnangagwa issued which iHarare is publishing in its entirety,

PRESS STATEMENT

Over the past months, several online and print media outlets published materials containing false allegations associating me with an organization called Drax International. lament a member of the said organization and I have no shares or interests in their transaction with the Government of Zimbabwe. I have no business or personal relationship with any Drax International's representatives, including Mr Delish Nguwaya.

Despite the wide coverage, I have not been contacted for comments on this issue. On the morning of Friday, 29 May 2020, I was shocked to see an article on the front page of a local publication regurgitating the fake news that was circulating on social media and online publications. It is in bad taste that professional journalists have fallen prey to fake news being peddled by errant malcontents online. It is important for me to set the record straight concerning this issue.

The sole purpose of this narrative is to damage my reputation and that of the first family. These unsubstantiated claims and accusations are designed to mislead the general public and are false, treac erous and libelous. Legal action will follow any current and further statements made to slander my name, reputation and that of the First Family.

COLLINS MNANGAGWA