Suckson Makwasha Muskwe, the former managing director at the State -controlled Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe (IDBZ), Suckson Makwasha Muskwe has denied allegations that he has gone into hiding after allegedly siphoning US8$ million from the financial institution. Speaking through his lawyer Tungamirai Chakurira following media reports that he is on the run, Muskwe said he formally left Zimbabwe in February to pursue other business interests outside the country, adding he will soon be coming back to clear his name. Muskwe says he left his job at IDBZ amicably in December last year, and sees no reason in running away from the authorities.
He claims the fraud allegations were likely being raised by people who failed to do their projects properly. The former top banker is being accused of siphoning more than US$8 million from the bank in connivance with contractors on the bank’s flagship Bulawayo students accommodation project. Muskwe told NewsDay Live that he was shocked by recent media reports alleging that he went into hiding after being interrogated was alongside other IDBZ executives in August this year.
He said contrary to the claims, he has not spoken to anyone from the police or the bank after leaving his employ in December 2024, and was last in Zimbabwe on February 3 this year. “I was never interrogated and never contacted. Unless there is another Muskwe they are talking of.
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I left Zimbabwe on the 3rd February and until now I have not returned home,” Muskwe said through his lawyer. “I categorically deny every allegations. If someone claiming that can present proof of a written transaction, that would help, otherwise, anyone can say anything against someone.
“If these allegations are true, why was the complainant silent for months or years? Issues should have been reported as they occurred. There are many channels for reporting, such as police, Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), IDBZ, and even government offices.
Tangible evidence is necessary, not a false claim meant to tarnish my reputation. “I suspect these are individuals who failed the project and were either fired or removed from the site,” Muskwe said.
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