Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko’s continued stay at a top Harare hotel shows the Zanu PF leadership’s insensitiveness to the plight of the suffering majority Zimbabweans.
NewsDay Comment
Even more disturbing is the fact that Mphoko may not be the only top Zanu PF official involved in pillaging national resources, as some within the party are also said to have abandoned their Harare homes for the hotel immediately after their appointments to ministerial positions.
Reports suggest that Mphoko, a former diplomat owns a house in one of the upmarket suburbs in Harare, where he stayed before his appointment, yet he decided to abandon his residence in pursuit of the Zanu PF gravy train.
It is no wonder why none among the top Zanu PF officials, President Robert Mugabe included, seems worried about the state of the country’s economy.
The patronage system, where a few party cronies benefit while millions are living in abject poverty, is exactly what has brought this country to its knees.
At a time Zimbabweans are in serious lack, one cannot imagine why Mugabe has chosen to house his acolytes and other top Zanu PF officials – the bulk of whom own residences in Harare – in top hotels, when the government is failing to meet its obligations to civil servants, regional and international partners.
Clearly, Mphoko is using his political power for illegitimate private gain. Do Mphoko’s actions not constitute political corruption, although it is being done under cover of law?
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
We believe Mphoko’s conscience should trouble and prod him to check out of the hotel urgently, at least for the sake of the suffering people. How Mphoko, a businessman in his own right, can live in a plush hotel for more than 290 days with his family, including a grandchild boggles the mind, especially at a time government is seeking to downsize its workforce.
It is not a secret that the economy is hurtling towards the abyss, and it is imperative to point out that Mphoko’s bill of over $120 000 can pay 300 teachers in one month.
Mphoko is said to have rejected three homes offered by the government, including one used by the late Vice-President Joseph Msika, allegedly arguing that the properties were not luxurious enough for him.
Yet, his counterpart Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa in his capacity as leader of government business in the House of Assembly in March defended him, saying the government was still constructing his house.
Does it follow that all those that are staying at various hotels have their houses being built by government as well? If that is the case, Zimbabweans have every reason to be worried because this appears to be a well-calculated asset stripping drive by Mugabe’s party.
Is it not surprising that despite government coffers running on near-empty, Mugabe continues to splash the little resources available on luxury and foreign jaunts.
To show that the President does not care about the people, he recently expanded his Cabinet, making appointments aimed at addressing his party’s internal fights rather than dealing with the economic crisis.
We believe Zanu PF must not take people for granted. They must shape up or ship out. The people are watching; they are not docile.
