Anger on social media over Mugabe, Grace chartered flight

Zimbabweans have reacted angrily on social media after President Emmerson Mnangagwa's government reportedly chartered a plane for former president Robert Mugabe and his wife Grace, who flew to Singapore over the weekend for medical checks.

The Mugabes left on Sunday on a flight chartered by Mnangagwa's government, New Zimbabwe.com reported.

Mugabe, 94, and Grace, 53, have "been struggling with poor health, regularly travelling to the southeast Asian country for medical attention", the report said.

According to ZW News, the former leader's health was "deteriorating" and he was "very unwell".

Reports last week indicated that Mnangagwa spent more than half a million US dollars to fly Grace home to attend her mother's funeral.

At least $550 000 was used to charter a top-of-the range jet from a company in Qatar, said the private Standard newspaper.

"The money, it has been established, was sourced by a local business tycoon with vast interests in energy,

The latest development came amid reports that the southern African nation's new finance minister had taken to Twitter to ask for donations to help the government fight cholera that has killed at least 25 people and made thousands of others ill.

According to News24, in a tweet Mthuli Ncube, who recently took his oath of office, said the emergency crowdfund would "further efforts to fight cholera to date".

The cholera broke out in Harare's western suburb of Glen View in recent weeks, triggering an emergency response by the government and international aid agencies.

Unimpressed Zimbabwean have taken to social media to raise their concerns over the chartering of a plane for the Mugabes amid the cholera outbreak.

See Tweets below

https://t.co/9LFhbGZETJ@MthuliNcube @povozim @TrevorNcube
This is the kind of annul thinking that proves our govt does not have the best interests of the people at heart. How do we charter a plane and yet crowdfund for a cholera outbreak?

— Tatenda Madyara (@Malume_T) September 17, 2018

Eish. Ill Mugabe, wife Grace, airlifted to Singapore in Private Jet chartered by ED Govt https://t.co/mVESIvveLk via @ZimbabwesNews

— Jacqueline Zwambila (@JacquelineZwamb) September 17, 2018

RT @ras_trickstar: RT @DavidColtart: There are no words to describe how inappropriate this is in the midst of a cholera crisis. https://t.co/qR8Yr7Q2jI

— Twim Bo (@twimboz) September 17, 2018

The death toll from Cholera has risen to 30, but Mugabe's health is a bigger priority for our broke government. Wouldn't it be cheaper if he just stayed in Singapore for now? https://t.co/L8AdMSiy4m

— Tobias Sibanda (@sibanda_tobias1) September 17, 2018

Zimbabwe. Ailing Mugabe, Grace flown to Singapore in private jet chartered by cash-strapped Zim govt (singularly inappropriate in the midst of the cholera crisis and general lack of medication in Zim) https://t.co/s4JgGhUdyt via @News24

— geraldine jackson (@JacksonGerry) September 17, 2018

The Mugabes get a chartered private plane to Singapore? It DOES pay to sing to ED for your supper....and private jet!

— Fred G Sanford (@BelieveCitizen) September 17, 2018

People are dying like animals with curable diseases whilst the Mugabes are flown out to Singapore on a pvt jet for medical treatment. As usual we are expected to keep quiet because we will be accused of celebrating these unnecessary deaths for merely just saying we told you so.. https://t.co/w4Bz6yrprC

— Tendai T Warure (@Tindola) September 17, 2018

The Mugabes are mega-wealthy, why can't they pay their own airfares?

— Sal Amanda (@Zimbird) September 17, 2018

Thank you for your kind birthday wishes. There is no greater present than to serve my fellow Zimbabweans. The work of rebuilding our country does not stop, even for a birthday! pic.twitter.com/hqFfreRxXM

— President of Zimbabwe (@edmnangagwa) September 15, 2018