Zimbabwe's cash-strapped government has splurged millions of United States dollars on top-of-the-range vehicles, which include Toyota Hilux and Land Cruisers, for senior military officials at a time President Emmerson Mnangagwa's government is pleading for an economic bailout package from international financial institutions.

Military sources this week revealed that lieutenant-colonels, colonels and brigadier-generals were among officers who benefitted from the vehicle acquisition at a time of growing disquiet within the rank and file of the army over the deteriorating economic environment.

Sources said the government also acquired Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles for the security chiefs, from the rank of brigadier-general, widely perceived to be Mnangagwa loyalists.

A source who spoke on condition of anonymity said: "Security bosses from the rank of lieutenant-colonel to brigadier-generals were recently bought vehicles that include Toyota Hilux and Toyota Land Cruiser cars while they were given the option to buy the old ones for a nominal fee.

"What is worth noting is that brigadier-generals received Toyota Land Cruisers and those who are retiring at the age of 60 were given the option to buy their old vehicles at a token price," a military source told the Independent this week.