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Residents demand answers over Chombo's wealth
Silas Nkala, NewsDay
November 17, 2010

The Bulawayo Progressive Residents' Association (BPRA) has written to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Local Government, Rural and Urban Development asking it to investigate how minister Ignatius Chombo acquired his vast wealth.

The letter, signed by BPRA coordinator Rodrick Fayayo and dated November 11 2010 - a copy of which is in NewsDay's possession - was sent to Parliament for the attention of the committee that shadows Chombo's ministry.

In the letter, BPRA said it was concerned with Chombo's vast wealth published in the state-controlled Herald newspaper and based on court papers lodged by his estranged wife, Marian.

The residents' association questioned how Chombo acquired the property as his meagre ministerial salary did not justify such wealth, which Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has described as "primitive accumulation of wealth".

In the letter, Fayayo wrote that BPRA had seen it fit to initiate accountability on behalf of residents by demanding a full investigation into how Chombo acquired all those assets on a ministerial salary.

"BPRA also demands a full investigation that will extend to all ministers and government officials in the country since most government officials live lavish lifestyles yet their salaries state otherwise," reads part of the BPRA letter.

Government officials are alleged to own numerous assets including cars and mansions all over and outside the country yet most citizens did not own homes.

"BPRA is appalled and believes that the revelation is a microcosm of plunder that is prevalent in positions of power in the country. If the minister is found guilty of (corruptly) enriching himself, the association proposes that he resigns and relevant legal proceedings be taken against him," wrote Fayayo.

Chombo is reported to own 15 cars - but he denies this - which Tsvangirai denounced as greediness.

The court papers also reveal that Marian demanded a share of the family assets which included many residential and business stands, numerous houses, farms, hunting safaris and many investment companies.

Contracted for comment on the issue, the chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Local Government and Urban Development, Linnet Karenyi, said the matter had not yet reached her office.

"I have not yet received anything at the moment but would be glad to receive that. If you see them, try to persuade them to bring their document as a matter of urgency, we will be happy to get it," said Karenyi.

BPRA officials confirmed that they sent the letter to the committee through Parliament.

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