Zanu-PF orders MPs to return campaign vehicle

Zanu-PF secretary for administration and Presidential Affairs minister Didymus Mutasa has ordered party candidates who contested in the July 31 National Assembly elections to return the top-of-the-range Ford Everest vehicles they were allocated with immediate effect.

In a letter dated October 29 and addressed to all Zanu PF provincial chairpersons, Mutasa instructed party members to surrender the vehicles to their provincial party headquarters.

"You are instructed to ensure that all party vehicles issued to National Assembly candidates during the 2013 harmonised election campaign are returned with immediate effect," Mutasa wrote in the letter.

"Upon the return of each vehicle, please ensure that a requisite form is signed confirming the submission and a checklist outlining the state of the vehicle.

"Each candidate has been instructed to return the vehicles to their provincial headquarters. This is the final call for the surrender of the vehicles," Mutasa said, in a clear indication that initial calls for the return of the vehicles have been spurned.

The party splashed on state-of-the art vehicles to oil its campaign machinery for its candidates nine days ahead of the do-or-die general elections.

According to the vehicle maker's South African website, the Ford Everest costs between R384 800 and R450 800 meaning Zanu-PF could have shelled out more than R100 million in acquiring the vehicles, a figure that translates to more than $10 million.