Eddie Cross Retracts Corruption Claims Against President’s Family
Prominent Zimbabwean politician Eddie Cross has backtracked on his explosive claims of corruption implicating the President’s family after failing to provide evidence to substantiate his statements.
The allegations, initially made during his interview with South Africa’s Newzroom405 television station on March 31, have sparked widespread attention and led to a series of high-level meetings.
During his interview, Cross attributed the nationwide stay-away protests to widespread dissatisfaction with corruption and named the President’s family as being involved.
However, he later admitted to having no concrete proof to support his accusations.
On April 1, Cross met with the President at State House to apologize for drawing his family into the matter.
During the meeting, he acknowledged his misstep, stating, “I recognize that I should not have involved the President’s family.” He committed to presenting a dossier on general corruption allegations across the country.
When pressed by the President to identify the implicated individuals, Cross named three of the President’s sons.
The following day, on April 2, Cross returned to State House for a meeting with the accused individuals.
During this meeting, he admitted that his allegations were based on rumors and lacked evidence. He issued a second apology and promised to withdraw his statement regarding the President’s family.
Cross served as an economic adviser to President Mnangagwa during the early years of his presidency in 2017.
He is also known for authoring the President’s biography, A Life of Sacrifice, in 2021.
In a press statement dated April 5, Cross reiterated his regrets, stating, “I could not provide firm evidence to support these allegations and rumors. I again apologized and said I would withdraw my statement on this matter.”
The incident raises questions about Cross’s credibility and the risks of making unsubstantiated corruption claims.
The political fallout underscores the importance of providing evidence when addressing sensitive accusations in Zimbabwe’s political landscape.
