Zimbabweans are outraged at the large official delegation that accompanied only seven athletes to the Paris Olympics.
Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, his wife Colonel Miniyothabo Baloyi Chiwenga, and several senior government officials, whose total number was not disclosed, arrived in Paris today.
They were welcomed at Paris Le Bourget Airport by Minister of Sport, Arts and Recreation Hon Kirsty Coventry, Zimbabwe’s Charge d’Affairs in France Emmanuel Zinyuke, and the Zimbabwean team.
The Vice President will also participate in business meetings and bilateral discussions during his visit.
The Zimbabwean team at the Olympics includes sprinters Makanakaishe Charamba and Tapiwanashe Makarawu, long-distance runners Isaac Mpofu and Rutendo Nyahora, swimmers Denilson Cyprianos and Paige Van der Westuizen, and rower Stephen Cox.
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The size of the official delegation has triggered reactions on social media, with many Zimbabweans questioning its necessity. Isaiah Sibanda tweeted about the lack of transparency regarding the number of officials traveling on taxpayers’ money.
Fadzayi Mahere, a former legislator, criticized the government for sending more politicians than athletes, calling for new leadership. Twitter user Sal Amanda speculated that the delegation outnumbered the athletes, a sentiment echoed by others, including Samanyanga and Wisdom Bhebhe, who pointed out the disproportionate size and costs of the delegation compared to the number of athletes.
The government has yet to respond to the criticism, with attention remaining on the athletes’ performance and the Vice President’s engagements in Paris.
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