Mnangagwa Snubbing Air Zim, Hires Private Jet For $2.3 Million

President Emmerson Mnangagwa is reported to have used $2.3 million to charter a private Swiss luxury jet to travel to Beijing, China for a state visit. Mnangagwa has been accused of snubbing struggling national airliner, Air Zimbabwe, after hiring a private jet to travel to Davos, Switzerland for the World Economic Forum and to travel to South Africa early this year.

Sources who spoke to daily publication, NewsDay said,

Air Zimbabwe had offered to take the presidential delegation to China for $1,9 million but government opted for a luxurious private jet owned by Switzerland-based aviation management company, Comlux at a cost of $2,3 million.

This probably excludes costs related to the crew for the eight days of the President’s State visit to China.

Mnangagwa’s special adviser, Christopher Mutsvangwa said that it was necessary to charter a private jet as Air Zimbabwe did not have the requisite capacity. Said Mutsvangwa

It’s a long flight … needs non-stop capacity … Air Zimbabwe flights have no similar capacity, as they have to make a refuelling stop-over. Our bilateral State visit need not needlessly burden third countries with security and protocol.

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