Guvamatanga Explains Source Of Wealth After Flying Family To Vic Falls In Private Jet
A Zimbabwean top Government official who allegedly flew his family in a private jet to Victoria Falls to celebrate beating covid-19 has explained his source of wealth.
In a statement published by The Herald, Finance and Economic Development Permanent Secretary, George Guvamatanga, explained his source of wealth saying he made his money working in the private sector for more than 30 years, and rising to chief executive of Barclays Bank Zimbabwe, long before joining the civil service in November 2018.
Guvamatanga’s family went to Victoria Falls after him and eight of his family members recovered from Covid-19.
Guvamatanga’s family flew to Victoria Falls in a Beech 300 Super King Air 350 aircraft registered to National Airways Corporation of South Africa.
Guvamatanga did not travel, however, although he momentarily went into the aircraft to ensure his family was comfortable.
Many questioned Guvamatanga’s capacity to hire a private jet. In response he said that he got a retirement package running into millions after he left Barclays.
He said, “I spent 30 years with Barclays Bank of which 23 of those was as senior executive and 10 years as the chief executive officer. It is known in the market that when I left I was paid a package running into millions of United States dollars. It is also important to note that I left after having successfully put together and led a consortium of managers (at Barclays Bank Zimbabwe) that wanted to acquire the bank and had secured funding for that, although Barclays Plc opted for another buyer.”
Guvamatanga also said he is a businessman saying, “I also remain a businessman with interests spanning real estate, insurance, retail and distribution and farming, which I established before joining Government. I joined Government from the private sector because I felt my experience would help in how Government is run and make a difference”.
He has recently faced criticism after approving dubious payments running into millions of dollars to Drax International, a company linked to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s twin sons Collins and Shaun. The company was awarded tenders worth over US$60 million to supply drugs and medical devices to the health ministry without going to tender.
Read: Beatrice Mtetwa barred from representing Hopewell Chin’ono