Deputy Minister Tinmac revealed as ‘mystery’ buyer of US$1 million G40 property

Harare- WEALTHY deputy Youth and Sports minister and tycoon Tinoda ‘Tinmac’ Machakaire is the ‘mysterious’ buyer of the US$1.2 million Harare property belonging to self- exiled former cabinet minister and G-40 acolyte Walter Mzembi .

Express Mail Zim can reveal that the palatial mansion is situated in the leafy surbub of Vainona and Tinmac paid US $1.2 million cash in full when the deal was concluded a few years back.

That Mzembi sold the house is an ‘open secret’ , but name of the buyer was treated as a closely guarded secret probably due to confidentiality issues proposed by the two parties and their conveyancer (a top lawyer whose name we witheld).

“Tinmac splashed US$1.2 million in cash on that property and due to the nature of relations between Zanu PF and Mzembi at the particular time, he could not afford to let that information go public.

“It was after Mzembi, a kingpin of G40 had fled the country after being deposed in Operation Restore Legacy,” said our impeccable source who preffered anonymity.

According to our sources, one of the frontrunners on the potential buyers’ list was the the Zimbabwe Defence Industries (ZDI) who backed out after discovering that the owner was Mzembi.

The property was described by property dealers as the ” quintessence of luxury, the double story features six air conditioned bedrooms (all en-suite) ,two lounges,a bar, separate cigar and whiskey lounge , gymnasium,sauna, office,five lock up garage and a swimming pool in the facade.”

Mzembi is the current head of campaign for fellow former G40 acolyte and independent presidential candidate and former Zanu PF political commisar Saviour ‘Tyson’ Kasukuwere.

Political analysts who spoke to Express Mail Zim aired divergent views over the million dollar transaction.

“Well, multiplicity of voices is very key in any democratic country .

“In that vain I see nothing wrong with two citizens and businesspeople entering a legitimate business transaction despite of different political beliefs.

“It’s actually a sign of political maturity and tolerance.

“It’s the zenith of triviality to question that business deal,” said a United Kingdom based political scientist who refused to be named.

“Of course I understand that it was purely a business transaction which was conducted above board in terms of the law but I reckon the timing of the deal was improper.

“Remember at the material time ,Mzembi had announced formation of his own opposition party which was pressed with financial resources.

“So if it’s true, by splashing a million dollars,Tinmac erred because it technically means he was indirectly aiding an opponent to thrive on its operations and campaigns.

“It was an ill timed deal,” opined a South Africa based political science lecturer.

A former employee in the Ministry of Tourism said chances of political dealings were highly probable.

“When I worked for the ministry I always suspected his (Mzembi)’s dealings which were masked with his charisma to charm Mugabe (the late former president) until he landed Foreign Affairs ministry which he only had a one month stint.

“If you ask Karikoga Kaseke (former ZTA CEO ) he can tell you how that guy is a smooth schemer, he knows politics.

“While business transactions could have happened overboard, it cannot be ruled out that individuals like Mzembi and Tino Machakaire also had political dealings going on. Machakaire had the cash and Mzembi needed it to fund his politics, its a highly probable scenario,” said the former top ministry employee who spoke on condition of anonymity .

This reporter has it on good authority that Mzembi and Kaseke had a no-love-lost relationship which saw them clashing on several occasions.

On one incident Mzembi publicly lambasted Kaseke for roping in SA based and Gwanda born businessman Justice Maphosa on the funding of the Harare International Carnival .

Ironically , Maphosa housed President Emmerson Mnangagwa at his SA house for two weeks after he had made a strategic move to temporarily leave the country following death threats to return and take over the levers of power as he had promised in a strongly worded press statement.

In 2011, he also had a public spat with Kaseke and reversed Kaseke ‘s decision to dethrone Miss Tourism Personality Lungile “Cyclone Rhee’ Mathe who was chucked out because of documented misconduct .

His wife Barbara was patron of the pagaent then.

Relentess efforts to get a comment from the polygamist and God fearing minister (member of the Apostolic sect) Tinmac, hit a snag as he did not respond to calls and messages sent to himself at the time of writing.

Proof of such communication documented and readily available .

Mzembi (known as John Maleko in his SA circles) was also unreachable on a number provided to this publication.

Questions on how Mzembi amassed his wealth as a public servant points out to alleged theft or rather illegal disposition of government property worth $1.6 million some of which was donated to Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries church led by equally controversial and scandal ridden clergyman Walter Magaya.

The matter is sub judice and he instructed incarcerated lawmaker Job Sikhala as his legal representative .

He also ran a travel and tourism company that was located at Number 1 Union Avenue before it reportedly went under .

He is also the managing partner of a global consultancy entity called MWAfricaINVEST.

On LinkedIn, the company boasts of a demonstrated history of working in the Public Sector ,Skilled in Government and Statecraft.