BY KENNETH NYANGANI ZANU PF yesterday remained tight-lipped about its expenditure at the on-going youth congress that has attracted thousands of youths to elect their leadership as the party strengthens its structures ahead of the 2023 general elections.
More than 2 000 delegates are gathered at a hotel in Harare for the conference set to be officially opened by President Emmerson Mnangagwa today. The congress ends on Friday.
Sources, however, told NewsDay that the youth conference is expected to gobble anything in the region of US$1,5 million in transport, fuel, food and accommodation expenses.
Outgoing Zanu PF youth league leader Tendai Chirau refused to open up on the expenditure, as well as on who was funding the elective congress.
“We can’t say our budget, but what we can say is that our preparations are going on well,” Chirau said.
The ruling party has never failed to fund its activities even at the height of economic hardships.
Its party youth leaders are currently booked at top hotels in the capital, while provincial leaders are booked at Jameson.
Provincial youth chairpersons and other politburo members are staying at the Rainbow Towers hotel, which costs more than US$100 per night, excluding meals.
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The 40 nominees who will contest for youth posts are receiving five-star treatment at the Holiday Inn hotel.
Zupco and party buses have been deployed to transport the delegates from across the country, while other top party leaders with vested interests in the youth elections have also deployed their top-of-the-range vehicles in suspected vote-buying crusades.
Entertainment will be provided by the police, while a number of parastatals have booked space to advertise their products.
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