ZANU PF legislator and chairperson of Parliament’s Budget and Finance Committee, Energy Mutodi, has retracted explosive bribery allegations he made against Finance and Economic Development Permanent Secretary, George Guvamatanga.
Mutodi, who had earlier accused Guvamatanga of receiving kickbacks from government contractors and ministries, issued an unreserved public apology after admitting he had no evidence to back his claims.
The Goromonzi West MP had taken to X (formerly Twitter) this week, alleging that Guvamatanga was pocketing between 5 and 10 percent from every government payment processed through Treasury. He further claimed that ministries, departments, and even Parliament itself had been denied funding after allegedly refusing to pay the purported bribes.
Mutodi went as far as alleging that the senior civil servant had amassed over US$1 billion in wealth, owning thousands of dairy cattle, luxury properties, and expensive equipment — assertions that triggered widespread public debate.
However, in a dramatic U-turn issued late on Friday, Mutodi released a statement apologising to Guvamatanga and announcing that he had deleted the tweets.
“Following the publication of several tweets concerning flaws in the government payment system and particularly the conduct of the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Mr George Guvamatanga, I have reflected on my relationship with him and concluded that it is not in our interest to escalate the issue,” said Mutodi.
He acknowledged that his earlier statements lacked evidence and could be considered defamatory.
“While the issues had been raised as a matter of principle and in exercising Parliament’s oversight function under Section 119(3) of the Constitution, proof beyond reasonable doubt would be impossible. I therefore wish to issue an unreserved apology to Mr Guvamatanga for the reputational damage the tweets may have caused,” Mutodi added.
Guvamatanga had earlier dismissed the allegations as baseless, accusing Mutodi of attempting extortion and threatening legal action for defamation. He also reportedly lodged a police complaint against the MP.
Mutodi’s retraction comes amid growing scrutiny over the conduct of public officials and transparency in government dealings. The MP is now expected to formally withdraw his allegations in Parliament, where his claims were captured in the official record, The Hansard.
This is not the first time the outspoken lawmaker has courted controversy with unverified claims. His latest reversal has sparked speculation over whether political or legal pressure prompted the sudden apology.
As it stands, Guvamatanga regarded as one of the most influential bureaucrats in President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration appears determined to defend his reputation and take decisive legal steps against any further defamation.
