Maravi

(NEWZIMBABWE) Tsvangirai moves into $2,5m mansion

Tsvangirai moves into $2,5m mansion
02/09/2012 00:00:00
by Weekend Post

PRIME Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has moved into his $2,5 million Highlands mansion with his fiancée Elizabeth Macheka. This comes ahead of the MDC leader’s September 15 nuptials with the 35-year-old businesswoman. Luke Tamborinyoka, the PM’s spokesperson, confirmed the development.

“We can confirm the PM has moved into his new home,” he said. The sprawling mansion was purchased from South African-based Justin Davenport in 2007 for $800 000 and government renovated it for an extra $1,5 million.

Private architects and contractors revamped the H-shaped mansion in the A-list neighbourhood of Highlands to the Tsvangirais’ specifications, Public Works minister Joel Gabuza confirmed.

Boasting a huge guest house and spacious garage, it is likely Tsvangirai’s fianceé will be spending a considerable amount of time there.

The spacious two-storey home was at the centre of controversy after damning allegations that the PM and his relative Hebson Makuvise, Zimbabwe’s ambassador to Germany, misappropriated funds disbursed by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) in 2009 to pay for the purchase of the home.

The luxury house was acquired after Tsvangirai failed to move into Zimbabwe House which was left vacant in 1987 when the post of ceremonial president was abolished.

Mugabe lived in State House until about five years ago when he moved into his new Borrowdale home.

After Tsvangirai was sworn in as Prime Minister in February 2009, he tried to occupy one of the two properties but was apparently blocked by Mugabe.

A fuming Tsvangirai protested what he termed “blatant contempt” for his role, and this was one of the reasons that forced the MDC-T to temporarily disengage from government in October 2010.

Following the snub, Tsvangirai — who resided in a modest middle-class home in Strathaven — tabled a request for funding to build a new home.

Mugabe then okayed $1,5 million to renovate the Highlands property after the MDC-T agreed to end its boycott of Cabinet meetings in the aftermath of a SADC troika summit held in Maputo in November of 2010.

Tsvangirai will be exchanging his nuptials at an invite-only event at the exclusive Rain-Tree Gardens in Umwinsdale.

Labels: MORGAN TSVANGIRAI

posted by MrK @ 3:15 PM