Zimbabwe's President Mnangagwa faces accusations of bribing lawmakers after his government handed out housing plots to MPs just weeks before a vote that could let him rule until 2030. The Local Government Ministry gave away 70 residential stands across three locations: Killarney, Penrose, and Mabelreign. Officials claim these land gifts are simply part of an old benefit program dating back to 2013.
The timing raised eyebrows because Parliament will soon debate changing term limits. Inside sources say many ruling party members oppose Mnangagwa staying beyond his second term. "They want to silence disagreement through perks," one Zanu PF lawmaker told reporters privately. Opposition members called the land handouts "a clear inducement" that threatens independent voting.
Government officials insist everything about these allocations is normal. The ministry stated they're just fulfilling constitutional housing provisions. Records show that Parliament has received 263 stands already across five different areas. Critics point out that the sudden rush of giveaways right before such an important vote seems suspicious. Political tensions keep rising as the amendment debate approaches, with everyone watching whether these newly "empowered" lawmakers will support or reject Mnangagwa's power extension plan.
The timing raised eyebrows because Parliament will soon debate changing term limits. Inside sources say many ruling party members oppose Mnangagwa staying beyond his second term. "They want to silence disagreement through perks," one Zanu PF lawmaker told reporters privately. Opposition members called the land handouts "a clear inducement" that threatens independent voting.
Government officials insist everything about these allocations is normal. The ministry stated they're just fulfilling constitutional housing provisions. Records show that Parliament has received 263 stands already across five different areas. Critics point out that the sudden rush of giveaways right before such an important vote seems suspicious. Political tensions keep rising as the amendment debate approaches, with everyone watching whether these newly "empowered" lawmakers will support or reject Mnangagwa's power extension plan.
