BY MIRIAM MANGWAYA VICE-PRESIDENT Kembo Mohadi (71) has dismissed allegations that he was involved in illicit relationships with married women, including his subordinate, saying he was a set up by his political detractors who peddled lies against him. Recorded phone calls alleged to be between Mohadi and the alleged lovers, went viral on social media, which triggered social criticism against the Vice-President. Addressing journalists at his Munhumutapa offices yesterday, Mohadi said he was a victim of political machinations being peddled through hacking and voice cloning and affirmed his commitment to continue serving the nation. “Fellow Zimbabweans following the recent social media hype about my alleged illicit relationship with two married women, I have decided to come open and respond to the allegations being peddled by my detractors,” Mohadi said. “Despite growing impatient because of the weird character assassination, I wish to categorically state that allegations being levelled against me are not only false, but well-choreographed to demean, condescend, and soil my image as a national leader and patriot.” The scandal, exposed comprehensively by an online publication, ZimLive exposed how the 71-year-old politician allegedly lured different young women for sex, sometimes in his office. The alleged leaked phone recordings revealed that Mohadi was embroiled in sexual relations with his married subordinate. He was also allegedly in a relationship with another woman, whose marriage has since collapsed after the scandal was exposed, according to social media reports. Mohadi also said the false social media reports infringed his right to privacy as enshrined in section 57 of the Constitution. “I am  aware  that my right to privacy  has  been trashed  in terms  of section 57 of the  Constitution of the  Act 2013 Zimbabwe Amendment  (Number 20) Act 2013, which reads as follows, ‘every  person has right  the right to privacy, which include  the right not to have  the privacy  of their communication s infringed.’ “Despite the noise in digital media ecologies, I wish to clearly state that I am innocent and a victim of political machinations being peddled through hacking and voice cloning.” Women rights organisations and human rights activists have condemned the alleged affairs and called for a probe into Mohadi’s conduct. “Over the past couple of hours, news outlets have reported on emerging details of the country’s Vice-President, Kembo Mohadi being involved in ‘illicit’ relationships with his female subordinates. The Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe said in a statement yesterday. “Due to the power dynamics of the parties involved, this has compelled calls for investigations on possibilities of sexual harassment within the office of the Vice-President. Sexual harassment in the workplace has been a topical issue that affects many women in both private and public sectors and the handling of this case determines the country’s willingness to eliminate sexual harassment in the workplace and give victims and survivors hope.” But in