President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s recent trip to China for the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) has sparked controversy after it was revealed that his son and brother-in-law were part of his delegation.
The president, who flew to China on August 28th aboard a Boeing Business Jet B737-77W operated by Royal Jet of the United Arab Emirates, was accompanied by a delegation of over 45 people, including his son, Collins, and his wife’s brother, Henry Kutyauripo, Zimlive has reported.
The presence of the duo on an official trip has raised eyebrows and renewed criticism of Mnangagwa for surrounding himself with individuals who use their proximity to the Zanu PF leader for personal gain.
When questioned about Collins’ presence on the trip, Mnangagwa’s spokesman George Charamba simply stated, “It’s his son.”
Regarding Kutyauripo, Charamba said, “He is a director, he is a government employee.” However, he refused to disclose the department where Kutyauripo works or explain his relevance on the president’s delegation to the FOCAC, which was attended by over 50 other African leaders.
The aircraft, registration A6-RJU, has an hourly charter price of US$18,600, according to Paramount Business Jets, a charter services broker. The high cost of the chartered aircraft further fuels speculation about the nature of the trip and the expenses incurred.
The president’s entourage was seen visiting Mao Zedong Square in Beijing, where Mnangagwa laid flowers at the bronze statue of the iconic founder of the Chinese Communist Party. Both Kutyauripo and Collins were present during this visit.
The inclusion of family members in the delegation raises concerns about the blurring of lines between personal and official business. Critics argue that such practices undermine the integrity of official trips and create an environment where personal gain takes precedence over national interests.
Mnangagwa’s trip to China was intended to strengthen economic ties between Zimbabwe and China. However, the presence of his son and brother-in-law in the delegation casts a shadow over the trip’s objectives and raises questions about the transparency and accountability of the government.
