President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s relations with controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo have been called into question after the ex-convict was seen playing home base during the state visit of Kenyan President William Ruto.
Ruto arrived in the country on Friday to officially open the Zimbabwe International
The businessman, whose source of wealth is being called into question after he spent thousands of dollars on luxury cars for influencers and artistes allied with ZANU-PF, overwhelmed senior government officials when Mnangagwa received his Kenyan counterpart at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport on Friday.
He later appeared in several photos with Mnangagwa and Ruto at State House in Bulawayo.
Earlier that day, Chivayo hogged the spotlight when he relegated ministers to the sidelines, including Industry Minister Nqobisitha Mangaliso Ndlovu who was presiding over the annual trade show during Mnangagwa’s tour of the ZITF stands in Bulawayo.
Chifayo, Mnangagwa’s sons and dozens of security personnel were seen roaming the ZITF platforms. Ministers and senior Zanu PF officials were pushed to the sidelines during the tour.
Former Finance Minister Tendai Biti said Mnangagwa had damaged the reputation of the country’s international relations, which was unacceptable.
“Anyone can be a friend of anyone, but for an entire president to accommodate his comrades in affairs of state is embarrassing,” Beatty said. standard
“He has harmed our international relations, and this is unacceptable and embarrassing.”
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