Africa-Maputo – Mozambique’s president on Tuesday returned a $100.000 luxury Mercedes-Benz that was given to him by a business Friend associate, he admitted that the gift was a violation of the country’s public probity laws.

Following public outrage in the country after the news that Armando Guebuza had received a car gift to the value of $100 000 (79 200 euro) luxury sedan at a gala dinner last week, his office told AFP the car had been returned.

“After having accepted the gift on this occasion, the head of state asked for the legality of the act to be verified,” a statement said.

After being told he could run afoul of the law, Guebuza “declined it and gave the car back”.

The Confederation of Business Associations said that by giving Guebuza the Mercedes S350 wrapped in a red ribbon it had meant only to “give him something to remember us by”.

President Guebuza, 71, is set to step down after elections in October, having served two terms allowed by the constitution.

Critics have accused him of using his position to amass a large business portfolio and wealth, a trend in African countries, his business interests is said to include telecoms, ports, fisheries, construction and the media. Africa a continent with all mineral resources on earth but the poorest and for some reason the continent where leaders have little interest of the general population at heart. example Nigeria/Malawi/ South Africa

President Guebuza came to power in 2004 vowing to “combat poverty” yet roughly half of Mozambique’s population still lives on less than $1 a day, although the country has experienced some good economic growth during his term in office.
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