MPs receive $30 million vehicles from cash strapped government

THE cash-strapped Zimbabwe government today delivered US$25 million worth of luxury vehicles to its 355 legislators at a time government is struggling to pay salaries for civil servants, Bulawayo 24 has learnt.

The top of the range 4X4 vehicles all fully paid for parliament and given to the MPs at a subsidies loan facility were handed out to the legislatures in Harare today. The delivery of the vehicles comes after the MPs had complained bitterly to parliament that they were failing to perform their key duties, including visiting constituencies and carrying out fact-finding missions outside Harare, amid revelations they have gone for six months without allowances and other benefits.

The MPs are yet to receive sitting allowances amounting to US$1,4 million since parliament opened last September.

They have also gone for weeks without fuel coupons, a situation that has limited their visits to constituencies.

In an unprecedented move government this week failed to pay its workers on time, postponing the pay date by three days to four days - a sign of a worsening financial crisis.

A few months ago government spent another close to US$20 million on luxury cars, including Mercedes Benz and SUVs for 26 cabinet ministers, 13 ministers of state and 24 deputies.

The Government provides MPs with a vehicle loan scheme, which is currently capped at US$30 000 but quite certainly the luxury vehicles are worth twice or three times the amount that the MPs pay back to parliament at a very minimal interest over a five year period.

Zimbabwe's bicameral parliament has 350 legislators with 210 elected into the National Assembly (lower house), which also has 60 females who make up the women's quota, while the upper house is made up of 80 Senators and five non-constituency members appointed by the president.

Government bought top of the range Mercedes Benz E350 sedans and Toyota Land Cruisers VX200 for ministers and their deputies and today 4x4 Ford Rangers of different shapes and sizes were delivered to the parliamentarians.

Last year the bloated parliament abruptly adjourned amid reports parliamentarians in both Houses were gobbling up at least US$200 000 per week in sitting allowances and accommodation.

Sources close to parliament said the adjournment was a desperate measure to cut expenditure which the parliament has already incurred since the opening of the Eighth Parliament.

"If both houses sit it means 355 legislators will require sitting allowances close to US$79 000 per week with 271 legislators requiring hotel accommodation at an average amount of US$108 000," said one legislator.