HARARE, Zimbabwe — The country’s A.T.M.s have run out of cash. Even the police and the army — linchpins of the government’s control — are not getting paid on time.


But as economic protests have multiplied and shut down the capital recently, Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko has enjoyed a special privilege, courtesy of the state: nearly 600 nights in the presidential suite of Zimbabwe’s most luxurious hotel while his official mansion is being prepared.


The vice president’s extended stay in the Rainbow Towers presidential suite — he checked into the hotel in December 2014, at a taxpayer cost of $1,000 a night, including meals — has drawn regular demonstrations outside the five-star landmark, where visiting dignitaries stay.


But Mr. Mphoko and his wife, Laurinda, would not move out, local news reports said, because they kept rejecting official residences as inadequate, too small or too close to the homes of other government ministers.


“This hotel is going to break,” Sten Zvorwadza warned last month as he and other demonstrators took over the lobby, threatening to shut down the hotel unless Mr. Mphoko checked out.

“Gentlemen, gentlemen!” Mr. Zvorwadza continued as the police surrounded him, lifting him in the air and then dragging him across the marble floor.


Now, after hundreds of thousands of dollars in hotel bills, Mr. Mphoko’s stay could finally be coming to an end. A local newspaper has reported that Mr. Mphoko is moving to a $2 million mansion in a neighborhood called Highlands. Residents there said that they, too, had heard of the vice president’s impending arrival and pointed to the recent, unexpected filling of potholes on their street as credible evidence.

Africa and wasteful spendings are one. $600,000 that could have been put to judicious use was wasted. Bad leaders everywhere.

ikbnice:
Africa and wasteful spendings are one. $600,000 that could have been put to judicious use was wasted. Bad leaders everywhere.

I tell you bro , Africa's future has been mortgaged by our so called leaders . This is a country with the highest inflation in Africa.

teejaysmarty:


I tell you bro , Africa's future has been mortgaged by our so called leaders . This is a country with the highest inflation in Africa.

once people get into power in Africa, they turn into a demi-god. The mentality of extravagancy has eaten deep into the bone marrows of our politicians. Now tell me, why won't Africa be moving backwards.