Former Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) Monetary Policy Committee member Eddie Cross has slammed at Wicknell Chivayo, saying he’s corrupt.
The economist said this in an interview with Heart and Soul TV that premiered on 21 March.
Cross was part of the RBZ Monetary Policy Committee until 2021, when he “resigned.” The central bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) ensures stability in the exchange rate and general price levels.
The interviewer asked Cross what he makes of controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo, who has been on a roll dishing out luxury cars. Chivayo has been gifting Mercedes-Benz vehicles to musicians who have shown support or performed at ZANU-PF rallies and events. He has also thrown a few Toyota Aquas to comedians and bloggers pushing the ruling party on social media.
Doesn’t Employ Anyone”
Cross was scathingly critical of Chivayo’s public antics:
“Wicknell…Wicknell is just a nasty, corrupt businessman playing games. I don’t know where he makes his money. There is no visible sign.”
The economist then explained that there are many rich people in Zimbabwe who have no traceable wealth. He dug into how they make their wealth:
“There are lots of people in Zimbabwe with no visible signs of business activity, who don’t employ anybody but they are rich. Lots of them. And one of the big things is money trading.
“My daughter went to a dinner party the other day. Three or four luxury cars in the garage, swimming pool, lovely house, garden. They asked the owner of the house, the host, ‘What do you do?’ [He responded] a money changer. I’m a money dealer. Doesn’t employ anybody, doesn’t create anything, doesn’t make anything, but he’s a multi-millionaire.”
As part of the RBZ Monetary Policy Committee, Cross acknowledged that he could have contributed to plugging the rot. However, he admitted that he was fired because he was too outspoken.
Source iHarare
