A row has broken out over the funding and construction of a new parliament building in Zimbabwe, with conflicting claims surrounding the roles of President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his predecessor Robert Mugabe in initiating the project.
The US$46 million project, pledged by the Chinese government in 2016, has become a point of contention between government officials and critics.
Government spokesperson Nick Mangwana claims that the project was initiated by the current government, led by Mnangagwa.
Mangwana posted the picture of the new parliament building with a caption, “Yes, this is Zimbabwe under ED. Elegant”.
Yes, this is Zimbabwe under ED. Elegant pic.twitter.com/P2n9uR5bKc
— Nick Mangwana (@nickmangwana) July 14, 2024
However, former cabinet Minister Saviour Kasukuwere argues that the project was actually initiated during the tenure of late former President Mugabe.
“Ahhh! You embarrassing your boss. He knows the truth. We all Want to see development, show us something else. This one we know much more. Give us something and certainly not about GOATS.
“Come to think of it, I don’t think you are wrong, but the problem is with the one who lied to you and claimed it was him who brought the project. Be careful Nick, some just lie unprovoked,” Kasukuwere said.
Mangwana responded: “This deal was signed in April 2018. I challenge you to prove otherwise and in the process embarrass yourself.”
Users on X (formerly Twitter) however were quick to post evidence of new articles from 2016 proving that China had pledged US$46 million for the new parliament building when Mugabe was still president.
The new parliament building is one of several projects Mnangagwa is planning to show the Southern African Development Community (SADC) next month when he takes over as the chairman of the regional bloc.
Kasukuwere is a fierce critic of Mnangagwa. He is living in exile in South Africa after fleeing Zimbabwe in November 2017 during the military coup that ousted Mugabe.
He attempted to challenge Mnangagwa in the last presidential election, but he was blocked by the courts.
