FUNDIRA AND JANUARY: A SCANDAL TOO BIG TO IGNORE

Zimbabwe is once again witnessing a corporate scandal that exposes corruption, greed, and abuse of power at the highest levels. The latest controversy involves Emmanuel Fundira, the chairman of the National Social Security Authority (NSSA), and Paula January, a former executive at Rainbow Tourism Group (RTG). The two are accused of working together to manipulate RTG’s market value for their own benefit, using threats, leaked information, and extortion.

The police recently questioned Fundira over his involvement in January’s extortion case against RTG. January was forced out of RTG in 2019 after a tragic child drowning incident at Kadoma Hotel, where she was the general manager. Now, she is demanding money or reinstatement from RTG, threatening to use the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) against its executives if they do not comply. She has been recorded making these demands in audio clips, which have become key evidence in the investigation.

January claims that RTG executives were involved in fraud and money laundering. She says that a strategy meeting held in Dubai five years ago, as well as backdated payments of salaries and allowances during the Covid-19 period, are proof of wrongdoing. However, when RTG executives refused to meet her demands, she made good on her threats and unleashed Zacc on them.

The scandal took a new turn when it was discovered that January had been getting sensitive company information from Fundira. As the chairman of NSSA, which owns a 91.6% stake in RTG, Fundira has access to RTG’s financial records and internal dealings. Evidence shows that he has been passing this information to January, who has used it to pressure RTG executives. The police are investigating whether Fundira’s actions amount to criminal abuse of office.

In one of the audio recordings, January can be heard threatening RTG managers with arrest. She also claimed to have inside knowledge of Zacc’s plans before they happened. In some cases, she even warned RTG executives of upcoming Zacc raids, which later took place exactly as she predicted. This suggests that she had influence over Zacc officials.

Zacc raided RTG’s corporate offices on September 13, 2023, armed with a search and seizure warrant for fraud allegations linked to the Dubai strategy retreat. They wanted to know if RTG executives had received cabinet approval for the trip and demanded records of travel and payments. However, RTG challenged this in court, arguing that as a listed company, it did not need cabinet approval for such matters. The High Court ruled in RTG’s favor and cancelled the search warrant on September 18, 2023.

But the attacks on RTG did not stop there. Zacc returned on February 28, 2024, this time with another warrant, alleging money laundering and illegal foreign currency dealings. They demanded employment and payroll records of six senior executives. Even though RTG’s board had already investigated these claims and cleared the executives, Zacc continued to pursue the matter.

The situation raises serious concerns about the real motives behind these investigations. Many believe that Fundira is using his power at NSSA to sabotage RTG so that he and his business partners can buy its shares at a lower price. NSSA is currently selling 56% of its RTG shares to comply with stock exchange regulations, and Fundira is accused of deliberately driving down the share price to benefit from a cheap takeover.

Market analysts say Fundira and his associates are trying to manipulate RTG’s value for financial gain. Evidence shows that he still has interests in the tourism sector, despite signing an agreement that he would not be involved in tourism activities after leaving African Sun, another major hotel group. He owns Astoc Leisure Group and serves as the president of the Safari Operators Association of Zimbabwe.

The audios featuring January reveal shocking details about Fundira’s involvement. In one recording, January is heard saying she received information from Fundira about RTG executives’ salaries and allowances. She also mentions that Fundira has a personal grudge against RTG’s chief executive, MacGerald Tendai Madziwanyika. This suggests that personal vendettas may be playing a role in this corporate warfare.

The evidence against Fundira is mounting. He has not responded to media inquiries and has remained silent as the controversy grows. Meanwhile, NSSA and RTG executives are calling for accountability. They argue that Fundira’s actions are a clear abuse of power and a violation of his duty to protect NSSA’s interests.

This scandal exposes deep problems within Zimbabwe’s corporate and government institutions. Corruption, abuse of office, and unethical business practices are widespread. The case of Fundira and January is just one example of how powerful individuals manipulate the system for personal gain, at the expense of ordinary Zimbabweans.

RTG is a company that employs many people and contributes to the country’s economy. If its market value is artificially destroyed for the benefit of a few greedy individuals, many livelihoods will be affected. This is why the authorities must act swiftly and decisively. The people of Zimbabwe deserve leaders who prioritize the nation’s interests over their own selfish ambitions.

Fundira and January must be held accountable. If they are allowed to get away with this, it will send a dangerous message that corruption and abuse of power are acceptable in Zimbabwe. The police investigation must be thorough and transparent. Zacc itself must explain why it appears to be used as a tool for personal vendettas rather than fighting genuine corruption.

Zimbabweans are watching. They want justice. And they will not forget.