Mpofu, who is believed to be one of the Zanu (PF) bigwigs looting Marange Diamond mines and recently acquired ZABG bank in another multi-million deal, told a nurses’ graduation ceremony last week that he will set up a private hospital to create employment for them.
“Just get into groups and contact me – I will definitely be there to assist,” Mpofu told the nurses. This comes just a week after Mpofu declared in Hwange that he is was the “King of Matebeleland.”
Since his appointment two years ago as Mines Minister, Mpofu has been on a buying spree of properties in Matebeleland – especially in Bulawayo and Victoria Falls.
The Minister is said to have also acquired half of the houses in a low density suburb of Victoria Falls known as Mayard and turned them into lodges. He has also reportedly acquired several shopping complexes, night clubs, and supermarkets in the resort town.
Finance Minister Tendai Biti recently said he found it difficult to relate the wealth accumulated by his cabinet colleagues to their monthly government salaries of $800. Biti also said officials from Zanu (PF) were looting the country’s diamond wealth at a time when the government struggled to pay its employees decent wages.
“There is no doubt that a small coterie of individuals is benefitting from Zimbabwe diamonds. Some of us who are benefitting are not afraid to flaunt our monies. We are buying all kinds of assets,” Biti said.
When contacted recently over a property buying spree Mpofu said: “People of Matebeleland should be happy that one of their own sons is rising and they should support him”. He denied being corrupt, saying that he worked hard to be where he is today.
Post published in: News