Zimbabwe’s new president has left tongues wagging with the fees he’s charging his countrymen and women. Zimbabweans have to pay a fee to see president Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Emmerson Mnangagwa came to power in November 2017 after Robert Mugabe was ousted in a coup. The change of power signaled a new dawn in Zimbabwe but it turns out not much as changed after all.
President Mnangagwa traveled to Namibia on Monday and Zimbabweans living there was shocked. Zims living in Windhoek expressed shock and disappointment at their embassy when they were asked to pay a fee to see their visiting president.
$16 or no seeing the president
Zimbabwe’s local site The Villager says that it is widely known that the embassy is broke. It decided to use president Mnangagwa’s visit to make money.
Zimbabweans who wished to see their president were forced to pay $16 or Kes 1,647. The embassy had booked more than 300 seats at Safari hotel where Mnangagwa was set to address people.
“We were made to pay N$200 but some of us have been barred. Others couldn’t come and we asked if we can get in on their behalf and they refused. When we are supposed to vote we do not pay, but for me to see my president I have to pay. This is embarrassing,” an irate Zimbabwean was quoted by The Villager.