Fortune Chasi throws Jonathan Moyo under the bus
Former Minister of Energy Advocate Fortune Chasi has refuted reports by Professor Jonathan Moyo that he was removed from being the Minister of Energy after exposing the US$1. 2billion SOTIC deal involving President Emmerson Mnangagwa, General Sibusiso Moyo and Kuda Tagwirei.
Moyo had said, "In May 2019 before Chasi was appointed
Energy Minister, SOTIC INTERNATIONAL "signed" a 65 page Deal with
NOIC for SOTIC to advance a "loan" of USD 1,2 billion to guarantee
that there's always 135 million cubic litres of fuel in the pipeline at Msasa
to meet Zim's fuel needs. Under the deal, the USD 1,2 billion "loan"
would be paid back with interest over a 10 year period in monthly installments
of USD 12 million & NOIC assets were mortgaged to secure the
"loan". In effect, by the deal, SOTIC tookover NOIC, its assets &
ran all its operations!
"When Chasi became Energy Minister, the USD 1,2 billion
advance payment had been paid, all NOIC assets had been mortgaged as collateral
for the advance payment, SOTIC was running NOIC & demanding only forex for
the fuel; thus making it unaffordable to the majority of locals! Without having
been briefed on the SOTIC Agreement & thus unaware of its architects &
its beneficiaries, @fortunechasi got the deal investigated. Chasi's
investigation found that the deal was comprehensively & shockingly
detrimental to the national interest on every score! Either bravely or naively,
after his investigation, @fortunechasi sought an alternative to the SOTIC deal
& negotiated it with GLENCORE. But no alternative was possible to
implement; without costing SOTIC its USD 12 million a month or refunding the
USD 1,2 billion advance!"
However, on Sunday Chasi issued the following statement:
I have seen a set of
tweets Jonathan moyo suggesting that I caused an investigation into what he
calls the SOTIC deal . I have no knowledge of this deal nor did I cause the
alleged investigation. I am not sure what the source of the investigation is
nor the motive.
In my entire tenure at
the ministry I never caused any investigation or enquiry into anything at NOIC.
I had no issues at that level.
I must make it very very
clear that I don't harbour any bitterness regarding my current position. I
accept the decision to relieve of me of my position as that is the President's
prerogative. I remain committed to serve in any capacity whatsoever .
Meanwhile I shall
revert to being a back bencher and continue to work in the constituency and
party .
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