Senior government officials told the Zimbabwe Independent this week that government footed former President Robert Mugabe’s medical expenses which amounted to US$4 million towards the end of 2018.
The sources told the publication the money was paid through the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ), which maintains it does not have adequate foreign currency to fund critical sectors of the economy. The sources said Mugabe was first paid US$1 million upon his departure for Singapore in October but later contacted government from the South-East Asian nation complaining that the money was inadequate and requesting a further US$3 million in November. The requested balance was paid promptly, according to the sources. The transactions were authorised by RBZ governor John Mangudya. A senior government official said:
The governor sent a memo to the Finance ministry perm sec George Guvamatanga stating that there was a request by former “president Robert Mugabe for an additional US$3 million, while he was in Singapore. This was after Mugabe initially received US$1 million from government for his medical bills, which he then said was not enough.
When contacted by the publication, Mangudya declined to comment on the matter. Information ministry permanent secretary Nick Mangwana said he was not aware of any payment to Mugabe.
More: Independent