Tinotenda Hove- Independent politician Temba Mliswa has unleashed a political firestorm, accusing Vice President Constantino Chiwenga of pocketing millions in cash and luxury gifts from flamboyant businessman Wicknell Chivayo — only to later turn against him when the flow of money dried up.

In a fiery Monday statement, Mliswa dismissed Chiwenga’s anti-corruption stance as a sham driven by “revenge and personal grudges” rather than genuine reform.

“From day one I argued that the VP’s move was steeped in politics and a revenge move rather than in actually fighting corruption,” Mliswa declared. “Today I lay out one episode which led to the supposed move to get Chivayo arrested, painted as Chigananda.”

According to Mliswa, Chiwenga allegedly demanded six Rolls Royces and US$250,000 ahead of his wedding, before receiving another US$250,000 as a gift — of which only US$50,000 was publicly acknowledged. Chivayo allegedly paid for a lavish honeymoon in Seychelles, costing US$250,000, while also giving the couple 1 million rand for shopping in South Africa. Mliswa further claimed Chiwenga himself requested another 1 million rand to buy his wife a gift.

The outspoken politician went further, alleging that Chiwenga asked for US$450,000 to secure three apartments for his children, but tensions erupted when Chivayo only paid US$300,000, leaving a US$150,000 shortfall.

“This is where problems began,” Mliswa said. “Over two months they had received over a million dollars, and this created the tension which ultimately led to what has been sold as an anti-corruption campaign.”

Insisting his claims are evidence-based, Mliswa said: “All this is information that can be proven and stands up to the rigorous test of truth in a Court. I have always stated that I don’t fight people but argue from a point of facts and principles for the greater national good by saying things as they are!”

He stressed that Zimbabwe needed genuine institutional reform, not politically selective battles. “The basic point is that many leaders have themselves been involved in corruption and shouldn’t hijack the fight against it as a political weapon. If they are sincere, let them allow state institutions to run independently.”

Chiwenga has not yet responded to the explosive allegations, which are already stirring heated debate across the political spectrum.