OPPOSITION parties and civic groups have expressed outrage
at reports that President Robert Mugabe’s delegation of more than 70 people to
the forthcoming United Nations General Assembly will blow over $10 million in
allowances at a time the country is facing a crippling cash shortages.
They accused Mugabe of being selfish and insensitive to the
plight of suffering Zimbabweans.
MDC-T spokesperson, Obert Gutu yesterday said Mugabe’s
decision to travel with his entire family, including his grandson, Simbanashe,
was an indication that the Zanu PF leader takes the nation as his personal
property.
“This just goes to show that Zimbabwe has now been reduced
into a Mugabe family fiefdom. We are now a de facto Mugabe (Private) Limited
company. The State has been captured by the Mugabe family. Robert Mugabe is the
chief executive officer and his wife, Grace, is the chief operating officer.
This is a tragedy of monumental proportions. Cry the beloved country,” he said.
Lawyer, Fadzai Mahere took to Twitter in shock saying the
fact that each person on Mugabe’s delegation earns $1 500 a day when most
Zimbabweans do not earn that much in a year was an insult.
The Welshman Ncube-led MDC said this was a globetrotting
jaunt disguised as an international engagement, which they described as the
height of irresponsibility.
“It is a heart stopper to learn that the 10-day trip will
see each member of the delegation gobble over US$15 000 — at a time people are
sleeping in bank queues, going for months on end without getting salaries,” the
MDC said.
The MDC said the Mugabes, who are banned from travelling to
the United States, were using the trip for personal business.
“It is a no brainer that since the First Family is barred
from travelling to Europe on personal business, they see no shame in using
important government trips such as these for vacation purposes,” the MDC said.
Mugabe’s spokesperson, George Charamba, refused to shed
light on the delegation accompanying his boss, saying it was a security issue.
“As a matter of protocol and principle, Charamba will never
comment on the President’s travel plans, his delegation and any other issue
because it’s a matter of security. Do you want me to tell you that he will have
snipers and their location? That’s a matter of security,” he said.
This Constitution leader, Abigale Mupambi said: “Citizens
are either ignorant or cowards. Citizens, who are the real owners of this
money, which is being abused, must claim their position to hold these officials
accountable. This is clear madness.”
People’s Democratic Party Bulawayo organiser, Bekithemba
Nyathi said it was “insane” that such a huge delegation was travelling with
Mugabe when the nation faces serious cash shortages.
Ibhetshu likaZulu secretary-general, Mbuso Fuzwayo said it
was sad that the trip had no likelihood of benefiting the country.
Indications are that Mugabe is expected to address world
leaders on September 21. Although the summit runs from September 19, Mugabe and
his delegation are expected to depart on Saturday. Newsday
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