Mnangagwa spends US$18m on chiefs’ vehicles while begging for food aid

HARARE – At a time when Zimbabwe is facing a severe economic crisis worsened by the El Nino induced drought while also begging for food from the international community, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has handed over 90 new top of the range vehicles to traditional chiefs, leading to many questioning his priorities as a national leader.

Mnangagwa, on Wednesday, allocated the ISUZU Double Cab vehicles to the Chiefs at Harare International Conference Centre (HICC).

Research by Nehanda Radio indicates that each vehicle price ranges between US$68 000 and US$75 000. This means that over US$7,5 million taxpayers money was channeled towards vehicles for chiefs.

Addressing the chiefs during the handover ceremony, Mnangagwa pledged to uphold their dignity.

“This is part of my Administration’s grand plan to uphold the dignity of our Chiefs and Traditional Leaders, who are the historical custodians of our land and culture, as they carry out their duties.

“It is also in line with the Government policy which has seen us giving the Chiefs vehicles after every five years.

“The policy is premised on the understanding that Chiefs’ functions contribute directly and indirectly towards the attainment of Vision 2030 which seeks to achieve an upper-middle income economy for our people.

“Further, the facility ensures that the Chiefs can carry out their critical duties more efficiently and effectively,” Mnangagwa said.

In February, Mnangagwa handed over 100 vehicles to chiefs.

NewZwire reported that, by June 2024, the Council of Chiefs had already blown 118% of its annual budget, largely due to the unexpected purchase of 237 vehicles.

Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube revealed in Parliament that this “unbudgeted procurement” far exceeded the allocated funds, forcing the Treasury to tap into unallocated reserves to cover the expenses.

This means that 47 more vehicles are yet to be distributed.

Calculating with the earlier range of prices mentioned in this report, the government has cumulatively spent approximately US$18 million in buying vehicles for chiefs.

This is happening when the government is struggling to feed millions of citizens who are being affected by the El Nino induced drought. Last week, the Republic of Rwanda donated 1000 metric tonnes of maize meal to Zimbabwe.

Investigative journalist and anti-corruption activist Hopewell Chin’ono described the move as “vote-buying”. He said the development is concerning given the country’s dire economic situation.

He cited Zimbabwe’s numerous challenges, including the highest inflation rate globally and 95% unemployment and hospitals lacking water, medication, and equipment.

Chin’ono further suggested that the vehicle dealership supplying these cars is linked to Mnangagwa’s network, which he said may be used to loot public funds.

“Today, the Zimbabwean tyrant Emmerson Mnangagwa is handing over these brand new vehicles to traditional chiefs. This is the fourth time he has done so since coming to power through a military coup,” Chin’ono stated.

“This is happening while hospitals lack water, medication, and equipment, all of Zimbabwe’s urban cities and towns have no clean drinking water, the country has the highest inflation rate in the world, and unemployment stands at 95%.

“There is a method to this madness. Besides vote buying from the chiefs, you will realise that the car dealership supplying these vehicles is directly linked to one of Mnangagwa’s criminal networks used to loot public funds, and the price of the cars will be ridiculously inflated.

“Zimbabwe is broke, so this money will be printed, worsening inflation and further weakening the local currency.

“Any literate person who is able to read and write knows that the printing of money to fund these lavish expenditures will undoubtedly exacerbate the country’s already dire economic situation, leading to increased inflation and a further devaluation of the local currency.

“Since Zimbabwe relies on imports for many goods, the devaluation of its currency makes those imports more expensive, leading to increased prices for consumers and contributing to inflation. It is a total royal mess,” Chin’ono added