News / National
MDC-T MP refuse to pay $1 tollgate Fee
14 Dec 2010 at 14:13hrs | Views
Embattled Deputy Minister of Youth, Indigenisation and Empowerment Tongai Matutu, who is also the MDC-T MP for Masvingo Urban, was on Monday quizzed by the police after he refused to pay a $1 tollgate fee along the Bulawayo-Masvingo Highway on Saturday.
Matutu, who was last week fined $100 or face 25 days in prison after being found guilty of assaulting Chief Serima, Vengesai Rushwaya, confirmed the development.
"A detective from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) called me concerning the issue and I told him to verify with the CMED because I was driving a service vehicle. He said they are investigating the status of the car," Matutu said.
"Although it is my personal car, it is a service vehicle and the fuel to keep it moving comes from government. I should not pay anything as this is a government vehicle. How can I pay a road toll fee with a government vehicle when all other government vehicles are exempted?
"I did not have a logbook as I do not move with one. I am actually surprised that such a small issue has been blown out of proportion."
He was travelling from Bulawayo to Masvingo.Although Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tinaye Matake declined to comment preferring to refer all questions to the Police General Headquarters in Harare, police sources said a docket had been opened against Matutu .
Matutu believes all his woes are politically motivated. During his trial for assaulting Chief Serima, he told the court that politics was behind his prosecution.
Matutu, who was last week fined $100 or face 25 days in prison after being found guilty of assaulting Chief Serima, Vengesai Rushwaya, confirmed the development.
"A detective from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) called me concerning the issue and I told him to verify with the CMED because I was driving a service vehicle. He said they are investigating the status of the car," Matutu said.
"Although it is my personal car, it is a service vehicle and the fuel to keep it moving comes from government. I should not pay anything as this is a government vehicle. How can I pay a road toll fee with a government vehicle when all other government vehicles are exempted?
"I did not have a logbook as I do not move with one. I am actually surprised that such a small issue has been blown out of proportion."
He was travelling from Bulawayo to Masvingo.Although Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tinaye Matake declined to comment preferring to refer all questions to the Police General Headquarters in Harare, police sources said a docket had been opened against Matutu .
Matutu believes all his woes are politically motivated. During his trial for assaulting Chief Serima, he told the court that politics was behind his prosecution.
Source - Byo24
