Temba Mliswa Defends Mnangagwa’s Use
Independent Norton Member of Parliament, Temba Mliswa has dashed to the defence of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s use of a chartered flight to China’s Forum for China-Africa Co-operation (FOCAC) saying it was not prudent to send a huge plane with a few people.

Posting on his microblogging Twitter platform, Mliswa said Mnangagwa’s trip to China did not comprise of a bloated number of delegates though he was quick to,” said Mliswa.

The former Zanu PF Mashonaland West chairperson urged government to procure a Presidential jet for Mnangagwa saying it is cheaper and would not disrupt national airline schedules.

“A Presidential jet would cover the aspect of security, not be a disruption to airline schedules & be cheaper in the long term. It’s not an unnatural asset

“It’s good to note that H.E.’s trip to China didn’t comprise of an over bloated number of delegates. However we need to consider the cost benefit of sending such a huge plane with small delegations. It would be more prudent to purchase a Presidential jet for such trips,” said Mliswa.

Mnangagwa’s predecessor, Robert Mugabe was often accused of attending international conferences with a bloated delegation made up of not less than 100 people gobbling a budget of around $6 million per trip.

The new President has previously chartered a Swiss flight on his international trips, a move that has been widely criticized due to the high costs involved.