It is being reported in local media that the Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe is the main financial backer and owner of the new national airline, Zimbabwe Airways.
The news has been widely condemned by opposition leaders and politicians through Africa who fear decades of corruption and embezzlement by Mugabe has given him a vast personal wealth that affords him the possibility of owning his own airline. The 93-year old's wealth has increased year on year, whilst most of the country are unemployed (80%) and struggling to even survive. He will become the first head of state in the world to own a national airline.
Leading opposition party, the People's Democratic Party (PDP) are not pleased, "The first family has become a centre of corruption and looting and is a disgrace," Jacob Mafume, PDP spokesman told local media. Adding "That a deal can be negotiated on behalf of the state and then turned into a family entity is criminal, Zimbabweans must be angry. The law of the land does not allow a president to use his official position for personal gain."
