Staff Reporter
Investigations by Gemnation have revealed that opposition figure Tendai Biti who yesterday publicly denied he doubles as an advisor to the Ministry of Finance as part of a cartel kingpin, an application he made for a diplomatic passport sells him out.
Biti’s name shocked the public when it appeared among people copied in a government letter directing payments of over US$ 1 billion to different indviduals and shadowy companies.
The document that has since gone viral was signed by Finance Ministry permanent secretary George Guvamatanga and says in part:
“Please process payments immediately that are listed in the table below into the respective accounts on the documents attached.
“Proof of Payments (POPs) must be sent directly to
payees through the approved procedures.”
The document then cites the payments to be done as follows:
Wicknell Chivayo’s lntertek lnvestment US$25 million for “consultancy,”
Angel of Hope “Charity Projects” US$100 million;
Kuda Tagwirei “National Projects” US$300 million;
Mrs Virginia Mabhiza “Legal Services” US$10 million
TMG Pvt Limited “Facilitation Fees” US$350 million; Loice Matanda-Moyo “Rental Services” US$ 110 million and Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi’s “Consultancy” US$ 210 million.
Copied under the cc section of the document are Prof Mthulii Ncube, as Minister of Finance and Economic Development;
Martin Rushwaya, Chief Secretary, Office of the President and Cabinet and
Tendai L Biti cited as “Legal Advisor.”
Following a social media backlash which questioned how Biti known as a fiery critic of government extravagance was part of the people in the shock payments regarded by the public as a grand looting scheme, he posted on his social media handle:
“Our attention has been drawn to a document circulating, in which it is alleged we are advisors to this regime. We ARE not advisors or lawyers to Mthuli Ncube to the Ministry of Finance or to any Ministry or Government Department. We have fought this regime, its corruption and the benefactors.
“These mafia benefactors had us removed from the Public Accounts Committee and eventually blocked our membership to Parliament in 2023. #NoTo2030.”
However, our investigations show Biti is trying to hide from his shadow.
A statement by Biti in an application for a diplomatic passport dated 10 July 2025 raises the dust.
In response to question number 5 on the passport application portal for the diplomatic passport, Biti answered as follows:
“I have been a government lawyer for over 30 years. I also work in government as Minister of Finance and still give legal advice as and when required.”
In response to question number 6 on the same portal he gave his references as Martin Rushwaya (Army Major General retired) who is the Chief Secretary in the office of the President and cabinet) and Virginia Mabhiza (the attorney general).
Our further findings show that TMG Pvt Limited which is listed in the payment document above as in line to pocket US$350 million is linked to Biti together with Rushwaya as well as Grey Mashava and is registered in the UK where it has the value of of about US$3 billion.
According to a pressure group, Rise Up Zimbabwe, that reported Biti to the International Criminal Court in the Hague for human rights violations early this year, the former Finance Minister has companies in foreign lands which he co- owns with government figures. The pressure group listed them as follows:
• Biti Rushwaya and Mashava Limited Uk. Directors: Tendai Biti, Martin Rushwaya and Grey Mashava (Army General retired personal assistant to the Vice President).
• Biti and Sithole Ltd. Directors: Tendai Biti and Virginia Mabhiza (nee Sithole.)
• Zimbabwe Mining Investments Limited (British Virgin Islands). Directors: are Tendai Biti, Chief Justice Luke Malaba, Deputy Chief Justice Elizabeth Gwaunza and Christopher Mutsvangwa.
• Rockover Zimbabwe Holdings Limited (British Virgin Islands). The Directors are Tendai Biti, Chief Justice Luke Malaba, Deputy Chief Justice Elizabeth Gwaunza and Christopher Mutsvangwa)
• Renaissance Zimbabwe Management Limited (Mauritius). The Directors are Tendai Biti, Chief Justice Luke Malaba, Deputy Chief Justice Elizabeth Gwaunza and Christopher Mutsvangwa
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