Opposition leader cites leaked audio, lavish wedding as proof of ZANU PF decay

Harare – Veteran opposition politician Tendai Biti has launched a blistering attack on Zimbabwe’s ruling ZANU PF party, alleging that a leaked audio recording and a recent high-profile wedding expose “the extent and depth of State Capture” and prove the country is now a “genuine Banana Republic.”

In a statement issued late Tuesday, Biti, a former Finance Minister and prominent lawyer, described the undisclosed audio as “the most nauseating confirmation” of systemic corruption, saying it reflects “the pervasive decay and rot suffocating Zimbabwe.”

“That audio and that wedding confirm that this is now a genuine Banana Republic,” Biti said. “One that has sacrificed itself for a few pieces of dirty silver dished out by a phalanx of semi-illiterate monsters.”

Biti did not provide the audio or name the individuals involved, but his remarks come amid widespread speculation over a leaked recording allegedly implicating senior government officials in corruption and succession scheming. The “wedding” he referenced – a weekend ceremony in Borrowdale, Harare, reportedly attended by top ZANU PF figures – has also fueled public debate over opulence amid economic collapse.

The outspoken critic charged that a clique of “gangsters” who have “never created any wealth or value” now control the Treasury through dubious tenders, fraud and “chicanery,” draining state coffers into offshore accounts in Mauritius, Dubai and “other shady places.”

“Proximity and access have guaranteed permanent hemorrhage of State coffers into their accounts,” Biti said. “Proximity has now made them think they can take over the State and occupy number 1 Chancellor Lane, Borrowdale” – an apparent reference to the official residence of Zimbabwe’s Vice President.

Biti further alleged that the ruling party is pushing constitutional amendments to entrench unelected power, citing “CAB 3” and a planned “CAB 4” as attempts to “kill democracy altogether” and allow Parliament to impose running mates.

“This is foolishness of the highest order,” he said. “Intoxicated by the fatness of their bank accounts, their ambitions are now inelastic.”

The former MDC Alliance leader insisted that ZANU PF is not synonymous with Zimbabwe, and vowed that the alleged schemes will fail. He ended his statement with several hashtags, including #NotoZVIGANANDA and #Noto2030 – the latter a reference to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s widely reported ambition to extend his rule beyond 2028.

ZANU PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Government officials have previously dismissed allegations of state capture as baseless opposition rhetoric.

Zimbabwe is grappling with its worst economic crisis in years, marked by hyperinflation, currency collapse and mass unemployment. Critics accuse Mnangagwa’s administration of backtracking on reform promises made after the 2017 coup that ousted Robert Mugabe.