Biti, legislature at loggerheads over vehicle loans

The parliament vehicle scheme board is expected to hold a crisis meeting to resolve a stalemate between Finance Minister, Mr Tendai Biti and the legislature over the alleged unprocedural procurement and payment of vehicles by the Finance Ministry.

The board, which consists of chief whips from the three major political parties in parliament and two other stakeholders, is expected to hold an emergency meeting to try and solve the impasse between the two parties.

The board accuses the Minister Biti of usurping the powers of parliament in addressing the welfare of legislators.

This has resulted in legislators refusing to sign the contracts for the vehicles until government pays them their sitting allowances and travel and subsistence allowances back dated to 2008.

Zanu PF Chief Whip, Joram Gumbo, who is a member of the board, says the meeting will map out the way forward as the legislators are adamant that they will not sign those contracts.

"We are convening an emergency meeting with the board so that we resolve this mistake made by Mr Biti, who acquired vehicles on behalf of the board, something which is not expected to be the case," Gumbo said.

Chief Whip, Mr Edward Mukosi says the position of the members of parliament across the political divide is very clear that government has to pay the outstanding allowances.

"The government has to pay us so that we pay for the cars. That is clear and we will wait," said  Mukosi.

Meanwhile, legislators held a caucus meeting to discuss their welfare and say they are currently using their own resources to carry out parliamentary business.

Chairman of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Budget and Finance, Paddy Zhanda said it is unfair for Minister Biti to expect them to pay for the vehicles when they are owed thousands of dollars by government.

"Biti is being unfair, how can he expect us to pay for the cars when we do not have money?" asked Zhanda.

Finance Minister Biti, who was once taunted by his colleague, Mr Elphas Mukonoweshuro as claiming to be a super minister over allegations of meddling in most state institutions, is being accused of usurping powers of parliament when he bought cars for legislators instead of letting parliament do so through its board as per procedures.

Efforts to get a comment from Mr Biti were fruitless as he was not in his office while he could not be reached on his cell phone.