Newly appointed Minister of Finance and Economic Development Professor Mthuli has come under fire and attracted ridicule after he started a crowdfunding campaign to raise money to fight the cholera outbreak which has claimed at least 25 lives so far. Writing on Twitter, Professor Ncube said,
Together with my colleagues at Min of Health, we have set up an auditable emergency crowdfund to further efforts to fight cholera to date. Together we can win! Min Of Finance Cholera Crowd Fund:
EcoCash Biller Code 140286; CBZ Treasury, ACC 21537300017, Selous REF: FIGHT CHOLERA…Cholera Crowd Fund. Please support it through your valuable donations. Thank you. Hon Prof Mthuli Ncube, Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Zimbabwe
However, the appeal did not go down well with some who felt shortchanged by a government which they accused of having misplaced priorities. People highlighted that the government managed to buy vehicles for traditional chiefs as well as for war veterans yet it is now failing to find money to fight cholera and save lives. Other people also pointed out that the government should not be calling for crowdfunding campaigns when it actually collects taxes from the citizens.
Here are some of the responses to the Minister’s call for donations,
Crowdfund what what! Leave me alone o! Last time I checked my payslip there were deductions. I pay all these taxes already. Busy using our money to charter planes for people. Tsek!!!
— The Palm Wine Drinkard. (@NguClayton_) September 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/hwende/status/1040345937011507200
The broke, unemployed, abused masses are called upon to contribute to a profligate gvnt that spends millions on cars and car travel instead of prioritizing healthcare. A gvnt that does not respect the citizens' rights.
It'd be funny if it weren't so tragic. We're a cursed lot https://t.co/AP6TuCBKBZ
— Tawanda (@tbmoyo) September 13, 2018
And they will get money to buy new cars for ministers when they don't have money to fight cholera.
— Zenzele (@zenzele) September 13, 2018
Minister, why cant u divert the money intended for buying Ministers Mercs and Land cruisers to this noble cause of fighting cholera…i bilivi that will be the fastest way of raising this money instead of waiting for our dollar dollar contributions
— Chinotutuma (@pridewerenje) September 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/robin_kashambe/status/1040325042826043392
Chief cars
War Veterans cars
Military chiefs cars
Police chiefs cars
Judges cars
DA's cars
Minister's cars
MPs cars (now)Where is this money coming from @MthuliNcube? Now you have resorted to CrowdFunding. What about our generous friends who funded ZANU-PF & Grace Jet? https://t.co/LTdRJCQwO8
— Victor Chimhutu (@DrVChimhutu) September 13, 2018
No, minister! We pay taxes… otherwise scrap taxes and let's operate by crowdfunding. You're not getting a cent from me https://t.co/cH3ajLNVoH
— Mduduzi Mathuthu (@Mathuthu) September 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/MeliNcube/status/1040339504064868352
Crowdfunding when they collect tax. They shld be asking citizens to crowd fund the purchase of new vehicles for ministers, then use tax dollars to run the country.
I am disappointed, all the same let me donate something as someone who has been blessed enough.
— Tidz M (@tidzo) September 13, 2018
Nonsense. Chamisa has no custody of any public funds. Guess who was distributing, like confetti, brand new 4×4 vehicles to traditional chiefs only the other day at the expense of the fiscus? Now the same chaps are shaking the can begging for cholera money from the public. Shame!
— Prof Jonathan Moyo (@ProfJNMoyo) September 13, 2018
Here is your new appointed Deputy Minister bragging he is coming with a nice car from inauguration but you are here busy asking for donations for treating cholera. Poor technocrat. This is just on Monday. This government will shame your name soon. pic.twitter.com/c4zyECUHDQ
— Luckson Zvobgo (@zvobgoluckson) September 13, 2018
I'm in solidarity with those affected by the cholera epidemic. But imi muri kuita basa rekutengera ma chief, ma war vet and parliamentarians mota. Grace traveLled in a private jet at the expense of the national fiscus then mouya kuzotikumbira Ecocash? NONSENSE!!!!
— Sheikh Fizzy🌀 (@MbadaYacho) September 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/Char8Frasier/status/1040309767556751361
You need to give advice to your government and President to prioritize emergency situations like we are in.Buying expensive cars should be the last priority. Leaders should be servants of the people not masters.
— Noel Zimvumi (@NZimvumi) September 13, 2018
I would like to help but not through giving ZANU thieves the money. I'll look for more trustworthy ways. If Grace, ED, Bob Chiwenga, Mpofu and Supa return just 5% of what they stole over just the last 2 years there will be enough money to stop cholera and rebuild health services
— Fikile Nyikadzino (@fix_nyika) September 13, 2018
It is rather incredible how a whole government that cheats people in an election, buys luxury cars for useless individuals still wants to rob the poor. Aren't you lot ashamed of yourselves? Do you have an ounce of a conscience? This is so disgraceful and I am lost for words.
— I am (@Truthissimply) September 13, 2018
We have been crowd funding for decades it's called taxes
— #AProtestHasNoName (@Mambo_Nherera) September 13, 2018
We're
Unemployed
Cholera riddled
&Living in sewage strewn hoods
With our taxes our Gvt:
Drives SUVs
Lives in Borrowdale
Drinks bottled H²O
Kids in Private schools
Gets paid in USD
But here they are
Asking us for $$ to solve a crisis
Caused by their theivary
The epitome of delela!— Thandekile Moyo (@Mamoxn) September 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/marufumtc/status/1040309926952873990
Boss I respect you a lot, you are the best but unfortunately I can't help. Events of the past days have demoralized me, private jets, vehicles for chiefs, zanu pf campaign vehicles, electoral fraud,etc, so sir I will have to pass on this one
— BlahR32 (@wangabagamei) September 13, 2018
Did you set up a crowd fund to charter a jet for Grace, or to buy cars for chiefs? Are we not paying taxes?
— Tendai (@conmut) September 13, 2018
I see you have hit the ground running but running in the wrong direction🏃🏃🏃🏃🏃
— ◽️wellazy.sol ◽️ (@wellychishaka) September 13, 2018
I think if we pin down Prof Ncube on the profligacy that happened way before he joined government we’re being unfair to him. He has gone in there and with in a few days before he even settles there is this crisis.
— Bla B (@bmusonza) September 13, 2018
Come on peeps – this cholera outbreak is all of our problem and let’s not knock our Minister for trying anything and everything in the face of this crisis. I don’t think new vehicles and chartered planes were of his doing and even if they were – people’s lives are worth more than petty finger pointing. Those who can, should give, and those who don’t want to help should do more than just wash their hands of this.
No body forced anyone to contribute! That’s the problem with Zimbabweans, too selfish to worry about your neighbour. New dispensation, we stand, fight and build together. Way to go Minister!
Exactly!
new dispensation yakabhadhara ndege ya grace 1.5 million, yotadza kupa mari to the healthcare yenyika with people dying of cholera in this day and age, anotopenga minister uyu, pihwa mari negovernment yaukushandira, ndiyo inemari
Kid and Gail , you can contribute for those guys to buy themselves more expensive cars and hire more chattered planes . If they can abuse your taxes like that , what will stop them from abusing any donation? Yes,you are right that Zimbabweans are too selfish to worry about their neighbor. That is why they are worried about their luxury more than they are worried about the welfare of the masses and taxpayers die of diseases preventable by ordinary means like cholera and typhoid .