Zimbabwe Govt Buys Iconic Monomotapa Crowne Plaza Hotel For MPs

MPs To Be Housed At Monomotapa Hotel After Surprise Government Purchase

In a stunning revelation to lawmakers, the Zimbabwean government has confirmed that it has purchased the iconic Monomotapa Crowne Plaza Hotel in Harare. The acquisition, finalised in August 2025, is intended to provide dedicated accommodation for Members of Parliament during parliamentary sessions. Officials say the move will save substantial public funds previously spent on hotel bookings and streamline the accommodation of legislators during national events.

Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube made the surprise disclosure to MPs gathered in Bulawayo for a pre-budget seminar on 5 November 2025, framing the purchase as a strategic decision meant to reduce expenses and improve logistical efficiency.

Government spokesperson Nick Mangwana also posted the announcement on X, confirming the development publicly.

Introducing his message, Mangwana wrote:

“GOVT BUYS MONOMOTAPA HOTEL. Hon. Prof. @MthuliNcube01 announces that Government acquired the Monomutapa Hotel in Harare to accommodate Members of Parliament during sittings. He explained that the move is designed to cut down on hotel booking expenses and ensure significant savings on public funds whenever Parliament is in session.”

A Surprise Announcement To Legislators

Addressing the assembled parliamentarians during the Bulawayo meeting, Ncube presented the acquisition as a direct benefit to MPs and the national budget.

Ncube introduced the news by stating:

“Did we ever tell the MPs that we bought them a hotel? If you allow me, I’m going to announce today that we have bought you a hotel. It’s Monomotapa Hotel. This is for use by MPs…. This strategic move is aimed at ensuring the comfort and convenience of legislators during parliamentary sessions and national events, while also reducing accommodation costs previously incurred through private bookings.”

The 182-bed hotel sits in central Harare and is one of the capital’s most recognisable landmarks.

Ncube did not immediately outline the hotel’s operational costs or staffing framework, nor did he specify the long-term management structure.

Funding And Future Operation Through Pension Fund

According to ZimLive, the hotel was not purchased directly by the treasury. Instead, the acquisition was completed by the Public Service Pension Fund after African Sun Limited sold the property for US$18 million (about R330 million).

Ncube told MPs that the hotel would run as a hybrid enterprise—available for parliamentary use during sittings but open to the general public at other times to generate income.

Introducing his explanation, Ncube said:

“We will now come up with a scheme of how it can be utilised for the benefit of MPs. When you’re not using it, it can earn revenue for its upkeep.”

This approach suggests a model designed to support the pension fund while reducing the state’s hotel expenditure.

A Landmark Property With A Recent History Of Uncertainty

The decision to sell the Monomotapa Crowne Plaza Hotel had been public knowledge long before the government’s acquisition. In February 2025, African Sun Limited issued a statement confirming the iconic building had been placed on the market as part of a strategy to unlock value. This followed several cautionary statements released between September and December 2024, signalling ongoing plans to dispose of selected hospitality assets.

The hotel, inspired by the ancient Kingdom of Monomotapa, has long been an integral part of Harare’s skyline. News of its impending sale sparked a wave of nostalgia on social media, with users recalling moments from popular venues such as the Pool Deck, Wine Barrel, 12 000 Horsemen and the once-famous Bali Hai.

Public concerns have centred on the preservation of the hotel’s heritage and its long-standing place in Harare’s hospitality landscape. Similar discussions took place when Meikles Hotel was sold for US$20 million (about R370 million) in 2019 before being rebranded as the Hyatt Regency Harare.

At present, no further operational roadmap has been disclosed.