Mr Brighton Mutongwizo, CA(Z) and paid member of BOAF, is disgusted with Mr. Afaras Gwaradzimba’s CA(Z) conduct that is inconsistent with professional and constitutional standards

Mr Brighton Mutongwizo, CA(Z) and paid member of BOAF, who moved to London in January 2020 to work for BDO London Office I started his career with PKF Zimbabwe and this was followed by a stint with the same firm in Lesotho gave a thumbs up to the initistive to raise awareness on corporate heritage matters through shared experiences, insights, ideas and knowledge using historical and contemporary case studies case studies to give an inclusive and balanced worldview on how best to celebrate and showcase the role of business in shaping and defining the role of business actors in delivering the promise of an open, transparent and accountable future of not only Zimbabwe but Africa.

He said, “Prior to 1 January 2023, I knew vaguely about the facts and circumstances of the placement of SMM Holdings Private Limited (SMM), a company whose control and management was digested and deprived from its shareholders and durectors using public power on 6 September 2004, and the central and pivotal role played by Mr. Afaras Gwaradzimba, a senior member of the accounting profession in Zimbabwe, using his profession as a weapon to be party to the destruction of his former client in a manner that puts the profession into disrepute.

I chose to join the Banking on Africa’s Future (BOAF) initiative to convert connections to community power after the chat with Mr. Mawere as set out below:

[Brighton💡Mutongwizo: Wishing you a blessed 2023. GOD bless you richly.
[1/1, 3:39 PM] mdmawere1: Tx
[1/1, 4:02 PM] mdmawere1: Who is this?
[1/1, 4:04 PM] Brighton💡Mutongwizo: Brighton Mutongwizo- I’m also in the CA Network group.
[1/1, 4:05 PM] mdmawere1: Ok. Pleased to know you. Have we communicated before?
[1/1, 4:05 PM] mdmawere1: Compliments and wish you a prosperous 2023.
[1/1, 4:07 PM] Brighton💡Mutongwizo: This is the first time actually. And this might be a good starting point. Are you still investing back home in Zimbabwe?
[1/1, 4:11 PM] mdmawere1: Perhaps you can share who you are and what you do.
[1/1, 4:19 PM] Brighton💡Mutongwizo: .

About Mr. Mutongwizo:

Set out below is an extract from Mr. York’s cover letter:

“I find great pleasure affording this opportunity to introduce myself as a talented and results oriented individual with broad experience in many aspects of auditing, accounting and financial management. I
have practical hands on experience in developing and implementing strategic plans to ensure company growth and viability, coupled with solid planning and organizational skills in coordinating each of the company goals. My training contract experience with PKF Chartered Accountants is supplemented with my academic and professional skills. I am currently studying towards being a Chartered Accountant. Skills
developed during my training contract include communication, presentation, team work, leadership, problem solving, setting and managing objectives, self appraisal, as well as exposure to real accounting and audit issues.
One of my roles while working at PKF Chartered Accountants was to provide guidance and coaching to trainee accountants to complete audits timely. In particular I was involved in offering advice to clients where deficiencies in internal control were noted. In turn, this has helped various clients I have worked on to improve their internal control environment.
As an aspiring Chartered Accountant, I have been an astute individual during my training and have adequately kept the values of the accounting profession which is independence and integrity. I adhere to the code of ethics
which regulate accountants which stipulate that professional behaviour should be maintained at all times to prevent the accounting profession from coming into disrepute. I have maintained appropriate boundaries with people where I ensured that I kept relationships strictly professional.
I currently hold a Bachelors degree in Accounting (UZ) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Accounting Sciences (UNISA). This has given me a wide breadth of knowledge in supporting my day to day tasks on aspects of accounting and auditing likewise broadening my understanding of the accounting standards. With little supervision from my lecturers and tutors, I was able to draw appropriate conclusions and produce a
coherent report based on my research.
I hope that you will find my experience and interests intriguing enough to warrant a face-to-face meeting, as I am confident that I would provide value as a team member.

You can contact me on mobile number +263772667179. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to speaking with you about this opportunity.”

My reason for inboxing Mr. Mawere on 1 January 2023 was simply to establish contact with him as he was on my contact list but had never interacted directly with him and so when he asked me to explain why specifically I had chosen to reach out to him on the first day of January 2023, this is how I responded:

“[1/1, 4:24 PM] mdmawere1: What made you think of me?
[1/1, 4:56 PM] Brighton💡Mutongwizo: Just remembered that I have an uncle in Zimbabwe who is venturing on a mining project and they needed to raise capital for the project. I thought it’s something you might be interested in as you’re an investor who can also have the financial muscle to finance the project.”

I was surprised and intrigued when out of the blue the chat turned to Cecil John Rhodes’ life and legacy as follows:

[1/1, 4:58 PM] mdmawere1: Great. How well do you know of Cecil John Rhodes?
[1/1, 5:01 PM] Brighton💡Mutongwizo: From the surface I know that he was instrumental for the colonisation of Zimbabwe. He was buried in Zimbabwe.
[1/1, 5:02 PM] mdmawere1: [1/1, 11:59 AM] +267 75 226 067: Good morning Sir.
[1/1, 12:00 PM] +267 75 226 067: I have read your LinkedIn profile and very impressed with your level of achievement in life.
[1/1, 12:00 PM] +267 75 226 067: My name is Elliot Moshoke based in Gaborone
[1/1, 12:15 PM] mdmawere1: Thanks. What made you think of me? Happy New Year
[1/1, 12:18 PM] +267 75 226 067: I am in the business innovation club of the Zim Diaspora and other African diaspora community.

So this morning I came accross you and then saw what maybe other people don’t see. I see the value that you can add to our entrepreneurial goals.

Like right now I have a supermarket chain that I wish to expand into the region. Something similar to Choppies and I can only achieve that with good partnerships and funding
[1/1, 12:19 PM] mdmawere1: Thanks
[1/1, 12:20 PM] mdmawere1: Do you know the story of Rhodes and what inspired him to get into problem solving clothed as a business actor?
[1/1, 12:21 PM] +267 75 226 067: No sir.
[1/1, 12:22 PM] +267 75 226 067: I just read stories about him that he came from Britain and started building large scale businesses with great work ethic
[1/1, 12:22 PM] +267 75 226 067: I have not come across any material or wisdom of what really inspired him
[1/1, 12:23 PM] mdmawere1: Listen to BOAF MEDIA PROJECT – TOWARDS MEDIA EXCELLENCE IN AFRICA by The 1873 FM on #SoundCloud
https://on.soundcloud.com/KKMkf
[1/1, 12:45 PM] +267 75 226 067: This is a very insightful piece. Hi have never looked at it from this perspective. I must admit that part of me was on the crusade that he was a colonial master even though I admired his work ethic.

My father once shared a story of how he built the railway line through Botswana in 400 days and he had similar contracts from NRZ also and all within schedule and budget!
[1/1, 12:45 PM] +267 75 226 067: That really gave me the foundation of being highly efficient and fast in everything that I embark on.
[1/1, 12:51 PM] mdmawere1: Thanks. What inspired him was the Roman Catholic Church.
[1/1, 12:52 PM] mdmawere1: Its structure and order.
[1/1, 5:02 PM] mdmawere1: Follow this and let me know your take
[1/1, 5:22 PM] mdmawere1: [1/1, 5:12 PM] mdmawere1: [1/1, 5:05 PM] Mike Ndinisa: Leader
[1/1, 5:06 PM] Mike Ndinisa: Happy New Year for you sir
[1/1, 5:06 PM] Mike Ndinisa: I’ve never interacted with Elliot, but I know of him
[1/1, 5:06 PM] Mike Ndinisa: I know he owns Payless
[1/1, 5:06 PM] Mike Ndinisa: Upcoming Supermarket for sure
[1/1, 5:08 PM] mdmawere1: He is looking to expand and needs capital. I thought you may be a bridge if you are interested?
[1/1, 5:08 PM] Mike Ndinisa: Wry much so
[1/1, 5:09 PM] Mike Ndinisa: We could look into it
[1/1, 5:09 PM] Mike Ndinisa: Very much so
[1/1, 5:10 PM] mdmawere1: He has asked me as per the above thread to guide him and assist where I can. Since its Botswana, I thought of you as a possible value chain actor.
[1/1, 5:10 PM] mdmawere1: Can I share with you the information that he shared with me?
[1/1, 5:11 PM] Mike Ndinisa: Yes please
[1/1, 5:11 PM] Mike Ndinisa: Let connect the dots me and you and see how we can help him
[1/1, 5:11 PM] Mike Ndinisa: We can get him debt
[1/1, 5:11 PM] mdmawere1: Indeed.
[1/1, 5:11 PM] Mike Ndinisa: Up to US$10mil
[1/1, 5:12 PM] Mike Ndinisa: I have a possible finder in mind
[1/1, 5:12 PM] mdmawere1: Great.
[1/1, 5:12 PM] mdmawere1: Let us make it happen.
[1/1, 5:14 PM] +267 75 226 067: Thank you very much sir. Much appreciated.
[1/1, 5:15 PM] mdmawere1: Should I pursue this option?
[1/1, 5:15 PM] +267 75 226 067: Yes please.
[1/1, 5:18 PM] mdmawere1: How much capital are you looking for?
[1/1, 5:19 PM] +267 75 226 067: For Payless I am looking for about $10m
[1/1, 5:19 PM] mdmawere1: As equity or debt?
[1/1, 5:20 PM] +267 75 226 067: Debt
[1/1, 5:20 PM] mdmawere1: Tenure?
[1/1, 5:20 PM] +267 75 226 067: 7-10year money
[1/1, 5:21 PM] mdmawere1: Security?
[1/1, 5:21 PM] +267 75 226 067: Lien over shares if possible
[1/1, 5:21 PM] mdmawere1: What is the balance sheet like in terms of net assets?

After going through the above chats and listening to the audio, my reaction was as follows:

“Insightful – Read through the chat and listened to the audio. I can pick up that it’s necessary to research about a matter rather than just relying on what you’ve heard only. It’s also expedient to know about people who came before us. Being knowledgeable about subject matters will set you apart from other people.”

My journey since 1 January 2023 has been incredible, insightful and engaging.

Having gone through this experience, I could not help but wish that my friends not be denied of the experiences that I intend to share on Saturday, 11 February 2023, with not only existing members of BOAF but anyone who wishes to learn, unlearn and relearn using real life case studies.

I have been exposed to many case studies through being a paid up member of BOAF that have shifted my mind on active citizenship especially after being privileged to learn about the despicable and unprofessional conduct of Mr. Gwaradzimba, a person I held in high esteem as a role model in the profession, whose emergence into private practice involved Mr. Mawere as a bridge, the very person he betrayed through a corporate coup using public power and not craft excellence.

He was appointed extrajudicially, a red flag in my books, to assume the control and management not only of SMM’s affairs but all juristic entities deemed to be controlled by Mawere.

He was effectively appointed to be Mr. Mawere’s alter ego using public power.

I was shocked to learn that he was appointed officially on 14 September 2004 yet he assumed his duties on Monday, 6 September 2004 when he dismissed the boards of the targeted companies.

I had no idea that although he was only appointed to administer the affairs of juristic entities beyond his appointment as SMM administrator this mandate included using SMM and the law to hijack the control and management of Mawere’s personal house resulting in rental income for 17 years being paid to SMM under reconstruction without any lawful causa for the involvement of this creature of law.

Qyestions have been legitimately asked on whether a company that has been captured and whose control and management is regulated in terms of a law created solely to loot assets should be accorded the rights of a company whose affairs should be regulated in terms of the Companies Act, a law of general application, that universally creates and regulates companies.

I was shocked that a professional accountant could get away with conduct that is clearly inimical to the rule of law and certainly that constitutes a direct and frontal attack on the integrity of the profession and undermines public confidence in the independence and impartiality of the profession’s promise.

I am ashamed that my profession has been used to undermine everything I stand for.

It is for this reason that I have scheduled the chat tomorrow and if you are interested in learning about this travesty of justice, please inbox me on +266 6852 9292.

The constitution in terms of s2(2) imposes a binding duty on every person to ensure that any law, practice, custom, and conduct that is inconsistent with it is invalid to the extent of its inconsistency.”

The scheduled time: 15:00hrs CAT (13:00hrs GMT)