President Mnangagwa’s Eurasia trip last year which includes a trip to Belarus which was branded a strategic trip was primarily meant to inspect military and intelligence surveillance technology produced in Belarus with an interest to place an order, The Zimbabwe Independent reports.
The publication further alleges that the climax of President Mnangagwa’s visit was when he visited weapons manufacturing plants.
One of the plants he toured, Volat, a.k.a OJSC MZKT, which manufactures military hardware wrote on their website about his visit and said:
As part of an official visit to Belarus on January 16, 2019, President of Zimbabwe Emmerson Mnangagwa visited OJSC MZKT. At the open exhibition area of the enterprise, the latest models of equipment were presented; modern tactical vehicles, tank transporters, chassis for the installation of missile systems, etc.
Besides Volat, the following companies reportedly also showcased their weaponry to President Mnangagwa, OJSC Peleng, OJSC 558 ARZ, JSC Design Bureau Display and AGAT Control Systems JSC, BelOMO Holding and LLC BSVT-NT.
The defense Minister Oppha Muchinguri Kashiri did not respond to the questions she was asked if President Mnangagwa placed an order.
Last year President Mnangagwa bought weapons a move that was criticized by CSOs and other stakeholders.
More: The Zimbabwean