Government spends trillions on new vehicles
By Tererai Karimakwenda
16 July, 2007

While most Zimbabweans are walking miles to get to work due to fuel shortages caused by a lack of foreign currency in the country, it is reported that government has spent trillions of dollars on a new
state-of-the-art limousine for Robert Mugabe and Mercedes-Benz S
class vehicles for the ministers. According to the Zimbabwe Independent newspaper Mugabe’s new limo has additional security features that were installed by a private company in Europe.

The report said that Mugabe’s old S-model was an armoured security vehicle and cost about US$1 million, meaning his new Mercedes-Benz cost an even greater fortune. Prices for special versions are treated confidentially and not available on request. A full-house armoured version would be nearly one and a half million US dollars, or nearly two hundred billion zim dollars.

The ministers who are supporting Mugabe’s disastrous economic policies are also reported to have received new fancy cars as well. Zimbabwe has over 30 ministers and the Mercedes-Benz S350 models they were given cost about US$100,000 each. You do the math. The Independent said the ministers were also given the option to buy the old E230 class vehicles they were using, at a give away price of Z$5 million each.

At a time when teachers, doctors, nurses and other professional are earning wages below the poverty datum line and Zimbabweans are faced with serious shortages of food and fuel, critics say the recent purchases show how greedy, selfish and corrupt the ruling elite in the country really are.