ANALYSTS have said a case in which a Rusape man found himself in trouble for copying the lifestyle of Zanu PF linked moneybags highlights the entrenched selective enforcement of Zimbabwe’s laws.
Forty-five year-old Regai Chipanga’s troubles allegedly began when he started buying multiple vehicles including developing his rural home in Village A, Nyahukwe, Rusape.
It is alleged he further drew more attention when he allegedly hosted an ‘extravagant’ wedding at his residence.
This led to detectives raiding his home, arresting him and seizing a Honda Vezel, a Toyota Probox vehicle and US$700 in cash.
He appeared in court last week facing charges of money laundering after allegedly failing to explain his new found source of wealth.
In court, Chipanga claimed that he had acquired the assets through gold prospecting in the Bindura area.
Chipanga was granted US$300 bail.
His arrest set tongues wagging, with analysts citing selective application of the law.
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They cited various incidents where Zanu PF linked individuals, some with known criminal allegations or no clear business history, have been seen driving million-dollar vehicles, owning multiple luxury properties, and displaying wealth that is completely disproportionate to any declared income.
“Ordinary citizens are routinely scrutinized, harassed, or arrested for displaying wealth, yet those with political connections — particularly to Zanu PF — often live extravagantly with little or no accountability, even when their sources of wealth are questionable,” analyst Reuben Mbofana said.
He said this ‘selective application’ of the law has serious consequences.
“It erodes public trust in institutions meant to protect justice, fosters cynicism among citizens, and reinforces the perception that political loyalty grants impunity,” Mbofana said.
“It also sends a troubling message: that wealth alone, if backed by political connections, can shield individuals from the law, while ordinary Zimbabweans remain vulnerable to the full force of enforcement.”
Analyst Vivid Gwede said it would appear that there is no impartiality in dealing with the issue of questionable wealth.
“Politically exposed people are splurging money but no one has cared to ask the source,” he said.
“Within the top ranks of the civil service, we haven't seen lifestyle audits being diligently conducted.”
LEAD president Linda Masarira said ‘what we are witnessing is a system where ordinary citizens are criminalised for “living large.”
“When the state chooses to punish visible consumption by an ordinary citizen while turning a blind eye to grand corruption and elite looting, it undermines the credibility of the justice system and erodes public trust,” she said.
Masarira called for mandatory lifestyle audits for public officials and politically exposed persons, asset declarations and independent investigations into unexplained wealth.
“Without this, such arrests will rightly be viewed as persecution, deflection, and political theatre rather than genuine law enforcement,” she said.
“Zimbabweans are not blind; they know that the real scandal is not an ordinary citizen living large, but a political elite looting large while the majority struggle to survive.”
Analyst Rejoice Ngwenya said there was no law against ‘living large’.
“However, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority have an assumed right of ‘knowing’ how wealth is generated if extravagance reaches exhibitionist proportions,” Ngwenya said.
“The authorities can do us a favour and find out how Zanu PF linked tenderpreneurs guys make their money – especially if there are suspicions of fraud.
“This is important because there are cases of drug dealing and gold smuggling.”
He said it was astounding the ordinary citizens are now allowed to make large cash renewals yet the politically connected move with bags of money.
“It shows laws are not applied equally,” he said.
