The Zimbabwean government has finally broken its silence following widespread backlash and speculation over claims that it spent a whopping US$10 million on this year’s Independence Day celebrations, held in Gokwe-Nembudziya. Many citizens and commentators have criticized the event, describing it as disorganized and poorly executed.
On Monday, April 21, 2025, the Ministry of Information’s Permanent Secretary, Nick Mangwana, dismissed the reported expenditure but failed to offer a transparent breakdown of the actual costs.
“It wasn’t US$10 million, and we did good,” Mangwana wrote on X (formerly Twitter), in response to the growing criticism.
He went on to list various developments tied to the event, including the installation of 3G and 4G towers, upgrades to the local hospital mortuary, digital skills training for the community, improvements to computer labs, and the opening of a telemedicine facility.
Despite these claims, skepticism remains high. Many Zimbabweans are unconvinced by the government’s explanations, pointing out that the official refused to provide financial documentation to support his statements.
Mangwana also pointed to additional projects in the area: renovations at Nembudziya Stadium, installation of a public screen, road rehabilitation along the Kadoma–Sanyati–Nembudziya route, and upgrades at heroes’ shrines across the Midlands province. He also referenced the construction of museums and memorials at several historic sites, along with school infrastructure improvements, including classroom blocks, science labs, boreholes, and sanitation upgrades.
According to Mangwana, the Independence Day festivities also spurred local economic activity. “Households turned into Airbnbs, food vendors saw increased business, and many residents saw economic benefits,” he claimed.
However, critics have not been appeased. The lack of a formal Bill of Quantities (BoQ) or any official expenditure report has only added to the suspicion. Prominent journalist Hopewell Chin’ono challenged the government to publish the full financial records, calling the current explanations “propaganda.”
Online users echoed this demand, questioning the absence of evidence for many of the government’s listed achievements. Some, including residents of Gokwe, called for a full audit of the projects, saying they want to see proof of the promised developments.
Contrary to official statements, videos and images circulated on social media painted a different picture of the event. Torrential rains transformed the stadium grounds into a muddy mess, and a failed drainage system disrupted proceedings. Military formations struggled with waterlogged conditions, and reports indicated that even plastic chairs were removed prematurely—highlighting poor planning and preparation.
A post-event report by The Standard stated that the venue was subpar and that the infrastructure failed to meet expectations, leaving many questioning the quality and cost of the construction.
With pressure mounting, Zimbabweans are continuing to demand transparency. Citizens are asking: If US$10 million wasn’t spent, what was the actual amount? And where is the detailed record to support it?
For now, the government insists it has nothing to hide—but the public isn’t convinced until the numbers are made public.
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