Mugabe owes Kaukonde $30 million

PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe last Thursday reportedly told his party's politburo meeting that he borrowed $30 million from Marondera Central MP and ousted ex-Zanu-PF Mashonaland East Provincial chairman Ray Kaukonde to fund his family business in 2008, NewsDay reported.

Mugabe, however, reportedly said he would soon settle the ballooning debt.

Impeccable sources told NewsDay over the weekend that Mugabe made the disclosure soon after the politburo upheld the decision to expel Kaukonde and six other top party officials.

"The President briefed us that we must not be shocked that Kaukonde might drag him to court over the $30 million debt which he gave the First Family years back," the officials said.

"The debt, we hear, was accumulated by the First Lady (Grace Mugabe) before the multi-currency regime era. He (Mugabe), however, indicated that he would settle the debt soon."

It is understood that Mugabe anticipated Kaukonde would drag him to court following his dismissal from the party, but indicated that he would soon settle the debt.