Tinashe Sambiri– Zanu PF-linked businessman Pedzai Scott Sakupwanya has come under fire after spending US$65,000 on a basket at a fundraising dinner hosted by First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa at State House on Friday night. The basket, purchased through Sakupwanya’s company Betterbrands, has ignited debate over the role of politically connected businessmen in Zimbabwe.

Political commentators criticized the lavish spending, highlighting the stark contrast with the daily struggles of ordinary citizens. “It is alarming that individuals accused of exploiting State resources can make such extravagant purchases while many Zimbabweans cannot meet basic needs,” one analyst said.

Sakupwanya, along with other prominent businessmen such as Wicknell Chivayo and Kuda Tagwirei, has been accused of benefiting from close ties to President Emmerson Mnangagwa. “These kinds of actions reinforce perceptions that wealth and opportunity are reserved for a politically connected few,” another commentator noted.

The display of wealth has sparked discussions on transparency and accountability in State dealings. “When citizens see millions being spent at elite gatherings while the majority struggle, it undermines trust in leadership and governance,” one political observer added.

As the country faces ongoing economic hardship, Sakupwanya’s extravagant purchase has intensified scrutiny over the ethical boundaries of wealth accumulation among those with political influence, raising questions about fairness and responsibility in Zimbabwe’s elite circles.