PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe has reportedly blown an
estimated $20 million in hosting the eight Zanu PF youth interface rallies he
has held to date, with the bulk of the money commandeered from State coffers,
as he drums up support for his candidature ahead of next year’s crunch polls,
NewsDay has learnt.
It has also emerged that the First Family’s business
empire, Gushungo Dairies, is cashing in on the rallies, having pocketed $120
000 so far through the provision of its ice-cream and other milk products,
which were later disguised as donations and given out to party supporters.
The ice-cream was reportedly paid for by provincial youth
leagues and “donated” to party supporters and top officials by First Lady Grace
Mugabe at the rallies.
At a time the government was struggling to meet its wage
bill and was overborrowed by $5 billion on the domestic market, NewsDay
understands ministries and parastatals were emptying their coffers to massage
the First Family’s campaign trails ahead of next year’s elections.
Zanu PF sources said the ruling party was spending an
average of $2,5 million to host each of the rallies.
“The total cost of each rally can only be estimated because
we have not sat down to calculate the actual cost, but the cost is huge. It
involves fuel for bussing supporters from across the country, hiring of tents,
the public address system, accommodation and allowances for President Mugabe’s
advance team and the organising teams. I can put the cost at $2,5 million,” a
source said.
But Zanu PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo scoffed at the
claims, saying the party was digging from its resource base to fund the
campaign rallies.
“Get me the proof that we are using State resources and I
will answer that question. I cannot answer questions on allegations without
proof,” he said.
Zanu PF youth league treasurer Tongai Kasukuwere could not
provide the figures, but said the rallies were being funded by Zanu PF.
“These rallies are in our party budget and funding comes
from the party,” he said.
“I can’t tell you the figure, but all I can say is that
from the national leadership, we mainly focus on the President and the VIP tent
which we pay for.
“The provincial team has the duty to mobilise for transport
and other logistics.
“So you can’t really quantify how much we put in because
it’s an issue of contribution mainly again in kind.”
MDC-T secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora, however,
dismissed Kasukuwere’s assertions, saying he was aware that Zanu PF had no
money to fund the interface rallies and was busy abusing State resources.
“We know that Zanu PF is broke, I know it because I sit in
a forum with the secretary-general of Zanu PF (secretary for administration
Ignatius Chombo). They are broke, probably more broke than the MDC as a party,
but they are not shy to abuse State resources and Mugabe is abusing State
resources, his ministers are abusing State resources, they get transport and
allowances from State resources in order to attend these interface rallies. It
is unfair, unjust and unconscionable,” he said.
Mwonzora called on Mugabe to use the resources to bail out
troubled companies so that he could stimulate economic growth instead of
abusing taxpayers’ money to fund his rallies.
People’s Democratic Party spokesperson Jacob Mafume said:
“It’s a gross abuse of national resources, which borders on criminality for one
to hold factional meetings, where his wife uses access to the national
broadcaster to act like a Nigerian movie actress by insulting people.
“The country does not benefit, his party does not benefit
and yet they spend all that money when millions of Zimbabweans have no access
to medication, cash and jobs are drying.”
Highly-placed sources said for the Midlands rally only, a
total of 100 000 litres of fuel was used amounting to $130 000. This excluded
the cost of the vehicles, which were commandeered from schools and private
business players.
Ice-cream worth $15 000 was bought from Alpha and Omega
Dairy, while flying Mugabe by one helicopter to rallies costs the government
nearly $2 000 an hour.
Mugabe, his deputies and service chiefs were normally flown
to the rallies in three State helicopters. The party also hires the main stage
for $20 000, and the cost of hiring the ZBC outside broadcasting van was at
least $100 000 per day.
Senior government officials, heads of parastatals and their
public relations teams were forced to attend the rallies after drawing huge
allowances to fund for their fuel and accommodation at an enormous cost.
In 2016, Mugabe blew $2 million during a two-hour indaba he
held with 10 000 war veterans at the City Sports Centre in Harare.
The Zanu PF leader is currently attending a United Nations
summit in New York, where he will reportedly blow over $10 million in
allowances and expenses for his entourage of about 70 aides. Newsday
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