The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor, Gideon Gono is currently not sharing the same bed with President Mugabe's ruling party, Zanu PF members- as they used to, The Zimbabwe Gazette can reveal.

Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) Governor Gideon Gono

On Wednesday this week, Gono 'secretly' announced a monetary policy statement review to the media, without the knowledge of members of the ruling party, ministers and business in general contrary to previous RBZ events which would go public. This development only went public on national radio and TV that evening and in the papers the following day.

"Gono has since resorted to going it alone, only informing Mugabe of the latest developments before they go public."

"Corrupt Zanu PF bigwigs have already shown they dislike the governor whom they cite as getting too big for his shoes," said the source.

According to a reporter who attended the recent statement briefing, Gono was quizzed why he did not invite ministers, business and other relevant parties- as usual and also why the event was not being held publicly.

"Gono also emphasised he had to minimise travelling inconveniences on the majority of stakeholders who are busy outside the capital with other national political programmes," he said.

According to the latest Central Statistics Office (CSO), Zimbabwe's annual rate of inflation is now pegged at 26, 470.8 percent. Last year, the RBZ gave up chasing on 'the country's number one enemy' which continues to shoot up to record highs.

Recently, Gono also unexpectedly introduced the $1 million, $5 million and $10 million notes whilst setting new daily maximum withdrawals in an effort to ease the cash crisis. The governor caught Zimbabweans unaware, appearing on national TV announcing these developments.

The source said ruling party members added salt to injury, at late last year's Zanu PF Congress meeting, some party officials threatened Gono over his remarks that some party members were hoarding cash and exercising illegal business deals. 

"Gono was confronted by the angry party officials who forced him to reveal the culprits, of which Gono indicated would do that if invited in Parliament."

In 2007, relations between Gono and the Vice President, Joice Mujuru and her husband faded also owing to the governor's stance towards the couple's businesses. At one point of time, the Mujurus' absconded a monetary policy review statement.

Gono, who is reported to be a favourite of Mugabe also clashed with the then Finance Minister, Herbert Murerwa over monetary and fiscal issues in which to a larger extent Gono did not consult Murerwa on new developments.

The source adds a couple of meetings have been held so far, with many party officials calling for the governor's head- demotion.

"Gono's fate lies in the hands of Mugabe- who is supporting him and the 'hate game' continues to heat up, we don't know up to when," he said.

Earlier this year the Media and Information Commission (MIC) head, Tafataona Mahoso described Gono as a threat to national security. Mahoso accused Gono of lying to citizens that he is capable of dealing with the cash crisis which hit the country late last year and most of January this year. According to the MIC boss, Gono indicated he was in control of the situation, but in actual fact he was failing to solve the cash shortages.

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