Donors snub Mugabe bash

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President Robert Mugabe’s belated 91st birthday party for Bulawayo Province failed to materialise in June after Zanu PF failed to raise funds due to the worsening economic situation.

President Robert Mugabe’s belated 91st birthday party for Bulawayo Province failed to materialise in June after Zanu PF failed to raise funds due to the worsening economic situation.

BY NQOBANI NDLOVU

Mugabe turned 91 in February and a lavish party was held in Victoria Falls where companies and ministers stampeded to donate cash and cattle.

Sources said Zanu PF’s youth executive in Bulawayo had planned to hold the celebrations in June, barring any financial constraints.

The youths reportedly sent a begging bowl to various city companies, top party officials and State enterprises to bankroll the annual event but the effort did not produce the desired results as most potential donors cited the tough economic situation.

Khumbulani Mpofu, the Zanu PF Bulawayo youth chairperson who has resisted attempts to oust him over corruption charges, confirmed efforts to raise financial resources for the bash have so far been unsuccessful.

However, Mpofu could not be drawn to reveal how much the youth executive wanted to raise to ensure the successful holding of Mugabe’s birthday bash.

“We are trying to fundraise for the belated birthday celebrations for our President,” he said.

“As you know, the situation is bad and this is the reason why we have not held them as yet.

“We are busy trying to look for funds,” Mpofu said, addingthat the situation was so bad that “we are not sure when we will hold the birthday celebrations.”

Mpofu’s executive faces charges of extorting Bulawayo companies for their personal benefit. Last week, the party’s Bulawayo district chairpersons passed a vote of no confidence against Mpofu’s executive over corruption charges. Mpofu has refused to go.

Last year, Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko came to the rescue of the Bulawayo youth executive and sponsored the celebrations, which were held at the Large City Hall in July.

Mphoko’s donation sparked claims he was campaigning for the vice presidency, charges he denied though Mugabe was later to appoint him to the lofty post in December 2014.