Zimbabwe’s opposition parties are reportedly contemplating a court action against First Lady Grace Mugabe, whom they accuse of abusing a $98m agricultural equipment loan secured from Brazil under the Zimbabwe-Brazil More Foor for Africa Programme.
The country’s media reports that Grace was using the publicly underwritten loan for her own political benefit, as the bid to succeed Robert Mugabe intensifies within the ruling Zanu-PF party.
The First Lady, according to the Zimbabwe Independent, has in the past weeks donated agricultural equipment sourced under the Brazil loan facility as she embarked on a controversial campaign trail which sources say was meant to test the “succession waters” ahead of the 2018 general elections.
Although she denied she harbors any presidential ambitions, analysts believe that Grace may be positioning herself to take over power when her husband leaves office.
Brazil reportedly supplied Zimbabwe with 320 tractors, 450 disc harrows, 310 planters, 100 fertilizer spreaders and 6 650 knapsack sprayers valued at $38.6m under the first phase of the $98m facility commissioned by Mugabe in May.
