guvamatanga-passed-away-Zanupf confirm

• By Staff Reporter
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• October 23, 2026

Sekuru Thomas Guvamatanga, father of Finance Ministry Permanent Secretary George Guvamatanga, has died in Harare at the age of 91.
“Go well Madyira!” a social media post, extending condolences to the family read.

The death comes as the senior Treasury official remains a subject of public scrutiny over government payments, procurement controversies and his reported business connections with politically connected businessmen, including the late Wicknell Chivayo.
Guvamatanga, a former chief executive of Barclays Bank Zimbabwe, has defended his wealth by saying it was accumulated through decades in banking and private business before he joined government in 2018.
However, questions have persisted over Treasury’s handling of large direct payments to government suppliers and contracts associated with Chivayo-linked business interests.
In 2025, parliamentary scrutiny focused on payments reportedly amounting to more than US$400 million made directly to suppliers, with lawmakers seeking explanations about compliance with public-finance procedures. Reports also linked South African company Ren-Form to payments for election materials, while allegations emerged that funds were connected to companies or accounts associated with Chivayo. The precise transactions and responsibility of individual officials remain matters requiring documentary scrutiny and formal findings.
Chivayo, who died in a helicopter crash with his wife in September 2026, had himself faced years of controversy over lucrative government contracts, including the stalled Gwanda solar project and questions about public procurement. He denied some allegations made against him, while aspects of his business dealings were subject to legal and parliamentary scrutiny.

Guvamatanga has also faced allegations concerning his handling of Treasury payments. In 2025, legislator Energy Mutodi accused him of demanding kickbacks from contractors and government departments. Mutodi later withdrew the claims and apologised after admitting he could not substantiate them, underscoring the need to distinguish allegations from established findings.
The controversies have fuelled calls for greater transparency in public spending, competitive procurement and independent scrutiny of the relationship between senior officials and government contractors.

There is no evidence in the announcement linking the death of Guvamatanga’s father to any of these controversies. The immediate news is a family bereavement; the wider public-interest questions concern accountability in the management of public funds.

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