Former Finance Minister, Tendai Biti has alleged that President Robert Mugabe’s month-long annual leave, which started this week is set to cost at least $6 million in taxpayers’ money.
Yesterday Biti alleged that Mugabe collects at least $4 million from Treasury each time he embarks on his foreign trips and about $6 million for his month-long annual leave. Speaking to NewsDay Biti said:
Every time the President leaves the country he takes with him $4 million in hard cash which in most cases is raided from the RTGS system. This is part of the reason why we have cash shortages, because accounts for ordinary people have been raided to fund unnecessary travel. With his relatives and security personnel over the month-long holiday he could spend close to $6 million.
But, Information minister Christopher Mushowe, yesterday scoffed at the allegations, saying:
I am the chief government spokesperson and I don’t comment on hearsay. Bring the transcript of what he said and I will comment appropriately.
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