Temba Mliswa

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Temba Mliswa
Temba Mliswa, Zimbabwean Politician
Temba Mliswa
BornTemba Peter Mliswa
(1971-09-01) September 1, 1971 (age 52)
Zambia
ResidenceZimbabwe
Education
OccupationPolitician, Businessman, Sports coach
Years active2000 to present
Known forPolitics
Political partyIndependent
Criminal chargeIllegal Possession of Firearms
Criminal statusPending Judgement
Spouse(s)Gracious Mabodza (former)
Children2 daughters: Alexandra Thokozile Mliswa and Farai Mliswa
RelativesDidymus Mutasa, Mary Mliswa
Websitewitter.com/TembaMliswa

Temba Peter Mliswa is an outspoken Zimbabwean politician and the current Member of Parliament for Norton Constituency having won the by-election on 22 October 2016 as an independent candidate. He is a former current Parliamentary Portfolio Chairman on Mines and Energy (replaced by M. Nyashanu). He is a former member of Zanu PF. He is a former Zanu PF provincial chairman for Mashonaland West Province before his ouster in December 2014 and subsequent expulsion. Temba is also a businesssman , a former rugby coach and a fitness trainer. Temba was reelected into office in the 2018 harmonized election.

In February 2019, Mliswa resigned as chairman of the Parliamentary Portfolio Chairman on Mines and Energy following allegations of corruption. Mliswa claimed that he was innocent but that he was setting an example for other leaders. Days later, he had an animated verbal exchange with Zanu PF parliamentarian Dexter Nduna whom he called a thief. Nduna had been instrumental in the expulson of Mliswa sister, Mary Mliswa from a Mashonaland West provincial committee.

Background

Temba Peter Mliswa was born in Zambia on 1 September 1971 and is the second born in a family of six, comprising three girls and three boys. He eventually relocated to Zimbabwe with his family where he did his primary school and proceeded to Lord Malvern School and St Faith’s Mission School in Manicaland Province for his secondary education. Mliswa grew up in Harare in the Waterfalls suburb living with his parents. He was married to Gracious Mabodza and the two have two daughters Alexandra and Farai.

Relationship with Susan Mutami

In February 2021, Susan Mutami told a publication that she was battling to end a three-month relationship with Temba Mliswa. She said she regretted meeting the politician whom she accused of turning her life upside down and soiling her image. She met Mliswa in October 2020 during a ceremony in which she was donating medical suppliers in Norton.

He later took her to his rural home in Shurugwi. She also revealed she was pregnant with twins for Mliswa.

In her interview, she alleged that Mliswa was sleeping with one of his male associates named Goodwell Zinyama. She said:

"He had told me that he had done it all: bisexual, sex with man, four-somes. He said he had 18 children but because he was turning 50 he wanted to get a get a vasectomy. I don’t hold people’s past against them and he sounded sincere, so I accepted. But recently I discovered that he was sleeping with one of his male associates, Goodwell Zinyama."

She also said Mliswa was sleeping with the secretary-general of his party, Eleanor Kaziboni.

Mutami also alleged that Mliswa wanted to eliminate July Moyo. [1]

Responding to Mutami's allegations on Twitter, Mliswa said she was being used to tarnish his image. He said:

All I can say about the very entertaining&sensational article about me is that Susan is a project who couldn’t continue paying rent at my apartment in Avondale and so left. She, unfortunately, has the habit of name dropping to achieve her ends.

Next time she should advise her handlers to strategise better and punch harder as the gay slur was a weak blow which couldn’t be further from the truth. I can only warn any other would-be victims against her; beware!!

I could say and show more, but I’ll leave it at that as one day people will know who she is......

@elias_mambo @ZimMorning_Post this one-sided account is unbecoming of someone I had held in greater stead; the epitome of poor journalism. What is the motive, what is the agenda, whose payroll are you on? Very sad. Anyway, it’s water under the bridge, we move on...

[2]

Early Sporting Career

He was employed in 1988 by the Zimbabwe Cricket Union (ZCU) as a development officer, Mliswa also worked for the Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) for a short time before leaving for the United Kingdom.[3] During his stint with these organizations, Mliswa realized that cricket and rugby were largely dominated by whites and the indigenous population had very little chances of accessing them.[3] Mliswa coached rugby at the prestigious Eaton School that was attended by Prince William and Harry. Mliswa advanced his studies in sports fitness in the United States before he returned to Zimbabwe. Armed with his qualifications, he entered the sporting, business and political terrains. Initially, Mliswa confined himself to the sports domain where he set up Chimurenga Rugby to afford black Zimbabweans an opportunity to showcase their talent.[3]

He was appointed fitness coach for the soccer national team and his training methods faced stiff resistance from the players and the public. Mliswa won the hearts of many soccer lovers and Zimbabwe National Soccer Team continued with his training regime culminating in the Warriors winning the Cosafa Cup.[3] This was the first tournament won by the Warriors in over 15 years, of course, apart from the Cecafa – won in 1985. Mliswa also acted as a fitness coach for Caps United Football Club and they won the BP Cup during his tenure. Prior to going to the US, Mliswa had talked his way into an invitation to England, where he set up his coaching credentials. He subsequently received a free three-month rugby education in New Zealand, and then accepted an invitation to go to the United States for further education.[4][5]

Business Interests

Temba is the owner of Spring Farm in Karoi, a tobacco farm which was allocated to him as part of Zimbabwe's fast-track land redistribution in the late 90s. Spring Farm itself is part of Saltlakes Holdings, a group of companies comprising Saltlakes Tobacco, Saltlakes Advisory, and Saltlakes Implements. Together with Conrad “Billy” Rautenbach, he has an investment in a company called Ratings, which has leased vast sugar estates from the Agriculture Rural Development Authority (ARDA). The other stake in Ratings is owned by ARDA. Again with Rautenbach, Mliswa has an investment in a company called Clidder, which has investments Hwange Colliery Company Limited. Through a consortium called Lockcape Investments, Mliswa was a shareholder in Meikles Limited and Kingdom Financial Holdings Limited (Now Afrasia Bank). Mliswa has shares in Benba, Aqua Crystal, Afriven Private Limited, and Nosho Motors.

2010 Arrests

In 2010, Mliswa (along with Martin Mutasa (Didymus Mutasa's son) and George Marere) spent weeks in prison after being arrested for charges of fraud involving US$1,05 million. The three were alleged to have defrauded a Harare man, Paul Westwood of his 50% shares of Noshio Motors, a registered car dealer company jointly owned by Westwood and Hammarskjöld Banda and his wife Brendaly. Mliswa was detained at Matapi police station in Mbare. Days earlier, Mliswa had threatened to reveal corrupt activities by Retired Police Commissioner General, Augustine Chihuri. Mliswa had allegedly written a letter to Chihuri accusing him of being corrupt.

Mliswa had said Chihuri must be brought before a commission of inquiry to answer questions of unlawful detention of innocent people. When he was arrested Mliswa said this was all part of him being "fixed" by Chihuri for the revelations he had made. After being released on bail Mliswa was re-arrested and charged for crimes dating back to 2002, which included cases of assault and common assault, theft, public violence, contempt of court, extortion, malicious damage to property, Shop Licences Act violation, Firearms Act violation and housebreaking. In court, his lawyer queried why the alleged new cases took longer to be reported. The police responded that Mliswa had intimidated police and because he was “untouchable”. Later the same month it was reported after meetings between the families of the Mliswa, Didymus Mutasa, and Chihuri, Chihuri demanded an apology from Mliswa who was eventually released on bail.

[6]Mliswa and his co-accused were acquitted of the Noshio fraud case in June 2011. [7] Some of the other cases were also dropped in various other circumstances including state witnesses denying ever reporting Mliswa to the police. In August 2011, Mliswa and the others started proceedings top sue Chihuri and the police (including several members in their individual capacity) for unlawful detention. They demanded US $500,000. [8]

Dealings with Rautenbach

In September 2012, Mliswa revealed how he had used his political connections to help controversial businessman Billy Rautenbach attain a deal with the government for the Chisumbanje Ethanol plant and Hwange Colliery.[9] Mliswa claimed then that Rautenbach had backtracked on a promise to give him 10% shareholding in the Chisumbanje plant. The two had an out of court settlement which Mliswa later claimed was arranged by his uncle Didymus Mutasa. [10]. Mliswa had a press conference on Ash Wednesday 2020 calling out Billy Rautenbach and Innscor saying that they were corrupt racist and would soon table a motion in Parliament of State Capture. Mliswa the independent MP for Norton, Mashonaland West stated that he was ready to die for the truth, and had already set out his Will.

Dirty Dozen and Spygate Saga

The dirty dozen was a code name given to twelve Members of Parliament who received financial aid from the United States of America government through the U.S embassy in Harare. Mliswa was accused of spying against the government by giving classified information to one Eric Little who works for the U.S Embassy in Harare and believed to be a member of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) an American Intelligence Organisation. His alleged actions were not welcomed by his fellow colleagues in the party considering the sour relations between the Zanu- PF government and the U.S then. Due to the growing suspicion linked to him in the party, Mliswa was involved in a verbal war with a fellow party leader Beauty Zhuwawo wife of Patrick Zhuwawo at a provincial party meeting in Chinhoyi. [11]

On 1 April 2012, Mliswa called a press conference where confirmed the facilitating of the deals in question and the participation of his uncle Didymus Mutasa in the out of court settlement with Rautenbach. He also confirmed that Arda board chair and former Zanu-PF Manicaland provincial chairperson Basil Nyabadza had been bribed by Rautenbach and that several other politicians, whom he threatened to expose too.

Mliswa said of his deal facilitation that "It is a normal business practice to demand a share of the cake if you are involved.".[12] He then accused Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Jonathan Moyo of abusing the public media to settle political scores. To this Moyo responded: "This comrade is out of order." Moyo further said:

"The comrade has clearly been caught with his hands in the till and he thinks he can cover up his naked corruption by seeking refuge in what he declares to be his faction against what he imagines to be a rival faction.And the comrade’s self-indulgent claim that only the public media is uncovering corruption or that there’s a factional agenda to the coverage can only be believed by the walking dead among us." [12]

2014 Political Controversy and Corruption allegations

Reported as the result of faction fighting in Zanu-PF,[13] the Rautenbach issue came to the fore again in March 2014 when the state media (The Herald) brought the issue up. The paper reported that Mliswa had demanded $100m for facilitating the clinching of coal and platinum concessions at Hwange Colliery Mine and Unki Mine, respectively, and $65 for Chisumbanje. it was further revealed that Mliswa had himself successfully applied for Chisumbanje but had no capacity to invest there hence bringing in Rautenbach.[14]

Dirty Dozen & Zanu-PF factional fighting in 2014

As part of the factional politics that raged in the months leading to the Zanu-PF December 2014 congress, Mliswa, along with 11 other Zanu-PF Mps, was accused of spying on behalf of the UK. The 12 were referred to in the media as the [Zanu-PF Dirty Dozen][15]

At a press conference he called on 29 September to respond to the allegations, Mliswa hit at one of Zanu-PF factions labeling Jonathan Moyo, Saviour Kasukuwere, Emmerson Mnangagwa and Patrick Zhuwawo as US spies and "gay gangsters".[16]

Debt Crisis and Lawsuit

In October 2014, Mliswa was dragged to court by the CBZ Bank Limited a subsidiary of the Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe Holdings for a debt which he had accumulated to 2.7 million emanating from loans and advances which he got from the bank during the 2011 to 2012 farming season. The commercial bank lent Saltlakes Holdings Limited the money to buy tobacco from farmers and Mliswa bount himself as surety and the principal debtor. [17] Saltlakes did not pay the loan resulting in the bank filing a lawsuit against Mliswa. It appeared that the financial crisis that Mliswa was facing was made worse by 'waves' in his political career amid speculations that the top leaders in Zanu Pf party were planning to suspend him for indiscipline and subordination. In 2015, Mliswa's property was attached after it was established that Mliswa owed a local bank a total of UD 3 million.[12]

Alleged Firearms Possession and Arrest

Mliswa was arrested on Saturday 31 January 2015 at his Spring farm in Karoi. He was accused of illegal possession of firearms which is a crime according to the Zimbabwean laws. According to the state media, Mliswa was found in possession of seven unregistered AK 47 assault rifles. He was summoned to a court hearing. [18]

Expulsion From ZANU PF

Mliswa who had been in the media for varying reasons was reported to have been expelled from ZANU PF together with his uncle Didymus Mutasa on 18 February 2015. The expulsion of Mliswa follows a series of allegations on factionalism, insubordination, undermining the authority of party leaders just to mention a few. [19]

Losing the Parliament Seat

Mliswa lost the parliament seat after ZANU-PF went on to claim the seat after the controversial expulsion. Under the constitution of Zimbabwe, a party has the power to reclaim a seat when a member has been expelled from the party. On 3 March 2015, the speaker of parliament announced that Mliswa had been expelled from parliament following ZANU-PF's request. This meant that the seat was now vacant and a by-election was imminent to determine the next member of parliament for the constituency.

Formation of YARD

Following his ouster, Mliswa launched Youth Advocacy for Reform and Democracy on October 2015.[20] He was joined by ousted ZANU-PF youth members Godfrey Gomwe, Godwin Tsenengamu and Vengai Musengi in March 2016.[21]

Winning the Norton Parliamentary sit

Temba Mliswa overcame the odds to win the Norton by-election as an Independent candidate with 8 927 votes, beating Zanu PF’s Ronald Chindeza who polled 6 192 votes. The seat was previously held by Chris Mutsvangwa, who was expelled from Zanu PF making the Norton seat vacant. His win in Norton was riddled with a lot of controversies from the members of the public.

Criticising MDC Alliance For Planned Demos Against Zec

Temba Mliswa criticised the Nelson Chamisa led MDC Alliance for its planned protests against the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec). Mliswa said that the opposition should focus on campaigning instead.[22]. Addressing the media, Mliswa said,

The election situation is way better than ever before, we cannot have a perfect election but let us appreciate that it is way much better than of any other country in the world. We do not want people who distract good things we have just because they do not have resources to campaign…Rallies and demonstrations will not work. Candidates should go on the ground to talk to people, and I am the one doing that while the MDCs are busy marching in the streets, we do not want cheap politics here

.

Farm Mechanisation Scheme

In July 2020, Temba Mliswa was listed, in the BSR of 18 July 2020, as a beneficiary in the 2007 RBZ Farm Mechanisation Scheme, as a result of the Fast Track Land Reform Programme.

The data is analysed by recipients origin:.

  • Mashonaland provinces had the most beneficiaries, both in terms of numbers and value.

Mashonaland East got US$47,5 million,
Mashonaland West US$44,7 million
Mashonaland Central had US$34,2 million.

  • Two Matebeleland provinces had a combined total of US$13,9 million.
  • Masvingo US$26,4 million,
  • Manicaland US$18 million
  • Midlands US$14 million.

Temba Mliswa is listed under the thematic group “Politically Exposed Persons”. He received a loan of US$462,999.00, which has not been paid back. [23]

Arrest

Temba Mliswa was arrested on 11 February 2021 for contravening Covid-19 regulations after convening a press conference at his home. Armed police stormed his Borrowdale home and disrupted the press conference before inviting the legislator to Borrowdale Police Station. Mliswa had convened the press statement to expose what he said was a "security plot by Owen Ncube" to discredit him politically using his ex-girlfriend Susan Mutami for personal reasons.[24]

References

  1. Nyasha Chuma, A three-month relationship made in hell: philanthropist in messy break-up with Temba Mliswa, Zim Morning Post, Published: February 1, 2021, Retrieved: February 2, 2021
  2. Hon. Temba P. Mliswa, Published: February 2, 2021, Retrieved: February 11, 2021
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 N. Madanha, Mliswa opens up, "The Business Connect", retrieved:2 Oct 2014"
  4. F. Niumata, Temba Mliswa: Coach, Con-Man, "NewZimbabwe", published:11 Dec 2009,retrieved:02 Oct 2014"
  5. S. Rushwaya, Zimbabwe: Just Who is Themba Mliswa?, "AllAfrica", retrieved:02 Oct 2014"
  6. Chihuri Wants Apology From Mliswa , Published:21 July 2010, Retrieved:2 April 2014
  7. Temba Mliswa acquitted Published:22 June 2011, Retrieved:2 April 2014
  8. Mliswa sues Chihuri for unlawful detention, , Published:August 2, 2011, Retrieved:2 April 2014
  9. Lance Guma, Mliswa exposes Rautenbach and ZANU PF patronage, SW Radio Africa, Published:3 September 2012, Retrieved:2 April 2014
  10. Takunda Maodza, $165m saga: Temba Mliswa digs in, The Herald, Published:2 April 2014, Retrieved:2 April 2014
  11. Mliswa Gono on Politburo Agenda, "", published:01 Oct 2014, retrieved:02 Oct 2014"
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 Walter Nyamukondiwa Mliswa's property attached, The Herald, Published: June 30, 2015, Retrieved: June 30, 2015
  13. Temba Mliswa in $165 million scandal, Nehanda Radio, Published:31 March 2014, Retrieved:2 April 2014
  14. Takunda Maodza, Temba Mliswa in US$165m scandal- Demanded ‘facilitation’ fees -Mutasa, Savanhu, Nyabadza sucked in, The Herald, Published:31 March 2014 , Retrieved:2 April 2014
  15. Felex Share Zanu-PF to probe ‘Dirty Dozen’, The Herald, Published:September 22, 2014, Retrieved:16 October 2014
  16. Moyo, Kasukuwere, Pyschology are CIA gay-gangsters – Mliswa, The Zimbabwe Mail, Published:29 Sept 2014, Retrieved:16 Oct 2014
  17. D. Nemukuyu, CBZ drags Mliswa to Court, "The Herald", published:21 Oct 2014, retrieved:"
  18. W. Nyamukondiya, Mliswa Found with Seven AK 47s,The Herald, published:2 Feb 2015,retrieved:2 Feb 2015"
  19. Mliswa and Mutasa Expelled from ZANU PF, ', Published: February 19, 2015, Retrieved: February 19, 2015
  20. , [http://zengeza1.ac.zw/wp/about-us/ Youth Advocacy for Reform and Democracy], YARD, retrieved 31 May 2016
  21. , Ousted Zanu PF youths join Mliswa YARD, The Zimbabwean, retrieved 31 May 2016
  22. Mliswa Criticises MDC Alliance For Planned Demos Against Zec, Says Election Situation Is Better Than Other Countries ⋆ Pindula News, Pindula News, published: 24 Jul 2018, retrieved: 24 Jul 2018
  23. https://www.bigsr.co.uk/single-post/2020/07/18/BSR-EXCLUSIVE-Beneficiaries-of-the-RBZ loan of US$325,368.00-Farm-Mechanisation-Scheme BSR EXCLUSIVE: Beneficiaries of the RBZ Farm Mechanisation Scheme], Big Saturday Read, Published: 18 July 2020 Retrieved: 18 July 2020
  24. NewsHawksLive, Twitter, Published: February 11, 2021, Retrieved: February 11, 2021

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