Mugabe Buys Secret $5.8M Hong Kong Getaway

Prez spends lavishly as Zimbabwean economy implodes
By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 15, 2009 8:03 AM CST
Mugabe Buys Secret $5.8M Hong Kong Getaway
Mugabe talks to unidentified members of his delegation before the start of the Extra-Ordinary Summit at the Presidential Guest House in Pretoria, South Africa, last month.   (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

While his country battles massive inflation, unemployment and cholera, Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe has secretly bought a $5.8 million residence in Hong Kong, the Times of London reports. His wife recently spent some $80,000 on Vietnamese statues and $12,500 on a bag. When she recently discussed a venture to have Zimbabwean diamonds cut in Hong Kong, her aides paid one hotel bill with a bag of cash containing $15,000. (More Zimbabwe stories.)

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