News / National
Biti to sabotage Air Zim deal to buy 2 Airbus planes
31 Oct 2011 at 05:19hrs | Views
Air Zimbabwe's alleged deal to buy 2 Airbus 340-500 planes from France despite European Union targeted sanctions on President Mugabe, his cronies and selected companies, plunged deeper into controversy this week when Finance Minister Tendai Biti distanced himself from it.
Biti's move will further complicate Air Zimbabwe's attempt to circumvent the EU's restrictions to secure the planes.
Biti said on Friday he was not aware Zimbabwe was buying the Airbuses because treasury was not involved.
He said government could not afford to buy planes which would cost up to $500 million, almost a quarter of the budget, when it was failing to adequately pay civil servants.
Biti's move will further complicate Air Zimbabwe's attempt to circumvent the EU's restrictions to secure the planes.
Biti said on Friday he was not aware Zimbabwe was buying the Airbuses because treasury was not involved.
He said government could not afford to buy planes which would cost up to $500 million, almost a quarter of the budget, when it was failing to adequately pay civil servants.
Source - Sunday Times
