THE recently-ended Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo in Mutare has been clouded by allegations of financial impropriety and the sidelining of local businesses, with reports suggesting well-connected Zanu PF officials benefited from lucrative contracts.
The premier tourism event, officially opened by President Emmerson Mnangagwa last Wednesday, was hosted at a makeshift venue at the Mutare Sports Club, where tents were erected for the occasion.
The expo was traditionally being held in Bulawayo at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, where there are existing facilities.
A decision by the Tourism ministry to shift the venue lifted a can of worms along with questions over contracting services and rent-seeking.
Local businesspeople alleged that they were deliberately sidelined in favour of politically-connected individuals.
They questioned why a permanent exhibition centre was not built for the international event and raised serious concerns about who was awarded contracts for tents, road repairs and other services.
Hundreds of thousands of dollars are believed to have been spent on the temporary makeshift set-up.
NewsDay noted that the use of mobile toilets fell sharply short of local expectations for permanent facilities.
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Centre for Natural Resources Governance (CNRG) director Farai Maguwu criticised the event, calling it a “propaganda crusade” for the ruling party.
“It was an opportunity to build a permanent exhibition village in Mutare,” Maguwu stated.
“We can’t be seen setting tents when we are hosting big national and international events.
“It was a missed opportunity.”
Centre for Resource Governance director James Mupfumi argued that the expo highlighted deeper issues within the province.
“Local businesses are struggling, major industries have long shut down and the management of natural resources remains centralised,” Mupfumi said.
He emphasised that without economic devolution and investment in local governance, tourism cannot thrive in isolation.
Residents expressed anger at being excluded from the event and the lack of a lasting legacy.
United Mutare Residents and Ratepayers Trust programmes director Edson Dube contrasted the temporary expo with the permanent structures of the Mutare Showgrounds.
“No permanent infrastructure was left behind,” he noted.
Endy Ziyera, a Mutare resident, fumed after being barred from attending.
“It was like a political gathering; it was supposed to be inclusive of all Manicaland people,” he said.
“I am told they gave each other contracts. Locals did not benefit.”
The allegations have cast a long shadow over the event, turning a celebration of tourism into a focal point for complaints about patronage, corruption and the marginalisation of local communities.
Tourism minister Barbara Rwodzi was not reachable for comment yesterday.
