Mutodi Loses “Energy”

Sacked motormouth Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Budget, Finance and Investment Promotion Chairperson Energy Mutodi appears to have engineered his own political downfall after publicly criticising government finance policies — a move that has left him isolated and under fire.

The Zanu PF legislator for Bikita South was dismissed from his position as Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Budget, Finance and Investment Promotion following allegations he made against Finance Ministry Permanent Secretary George Guvamatanga, accusing him of demanding kickbacks of between five and ten percent from contractors, ministries, and departments in exchange for releasing Treasury funds.

Hurumende News Hub has established that the Zanu PF provincial leadership has indicated that the “wounded” Mutodi is likely to face disciplinary action.

“He faces the axe — the leadership is not happy,” said a party source.

Mutodi made the explosive claims on his social media platform X (formerly Twitter) under his handle @energymutodi.

In the post, he alleged that a company contracted for road works was asked to pay US$200,000 for every US$2 million released to it, implying that the payments were bribes allegedly solicited by Guvamatanga. He further claimed that the company had raised these concerns with members of Parliament’s Budget Committee.

However, the business community swiftly condemned Mutodi’s remarks, dismissing them as “loose and baseless.”

In a statement signed by Andre Zietsman, Chief Executive Officer of Bitumen World, the company firmly distanced itself from the allegations.

“Bitumen World (Private) Limited trading as ‘Bitumen’ would like to dissociate itself from the post made by Dr Energy Mutodi (@energymutodi) to the extent that the contents thereof relate to it. We categorically state that we have not received any solicitations from Mr George Guvamatanga,” the statement read.

The company reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and partnership with government in infrastructure development.

“Bitumen World remains firmly committed to supporting the Government of Zimbabwe’s infrastructure development agenda. The company continues to work with relevant ministries and agencies to deliver quality, sustainable projects that strengthen the national road network and contribute to the country’s long-term economic growth,” the statement added.

Mutodi’s outburst ultimately led to his dismissal as Chairperson of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Budget, Finance and Investment Promotion.

Bitumen World is one of Zimbabwe’s leading road construction companies and has played a major role in several government-led infrastructure projects.

This is not the first time Mutodi has courted controversy. He was previously dismissed as Deputy Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services.

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