New MPs commute using kombis to Parliament

PARLIAMENT is struggling to provide new Members of Parliament with vehicles amid reports that some legislators were using public transport to attend to parliamentary business.

More than 30 MPs were sworn in last year after both Zanu-PF and MDC-T recalled their legislators, a situation that saw new MPs coming on board as replacements.

With at least one year in Parliament for the bulk of new MPs, Parliament is still to make good its obligation to ensure that the legislators get cars under the Parliament Vehicle Loan Scheme.

Parliament has been struggling with underfunding for sometime now. Treasury is overwhelmed with other national demands like importing maize to ensure food security after the country received poor rains this season.

Zanu-PF Chief Whip Lovemore Matuke confirmed the failure by Parliament to deliver the vehicles.

He remained optimistic that the vehicles would be bought soon.

"Our MPs are still to get their vehicles. It is quite embarrassing for some of them because they have to use public transport like buses to come to Parliament while they wait for their vehicles," said Matuke, who is Gutu Central Member of National Assembly.

He said Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa had assured them that he would do everything in his power to ensure that the legislators get their vehicles in their last interaction.

"We were told that Government will prioritise the provision of cars. We are concerned that MPs have not secured the vehicles but we understand the challenges Treasury is going through. We know that it is not deliberate but it is saddled with a lot of obligations," said Matuke.

He said they would be pushing Government to speed up the process as soon as Parliament resumed sitting in a fortnight.

"When we come out of the current recess we will impress upon Treasury to prioritise our MPs. It is important that the image of MPs is maintained since they are Honourable members," said Matuke.

Zanu-PF expelled several MPs after they were linked to deposed former Vice President Dr Joice Mujuru.

Dr Mujuru allegedly plotted to assassinate President Mugabe.

She has since formed her own political party.

The MDC-T also ejected its legislators from Parliament after they had crossed the floor to join the then MDC-Renewal fronted by former secretary general Mr Tendai Biti and former deputy national treasurer Mr Elton Mangoma.

The two have since split with Mr Biti naming his political outfit People's Democratic Party while Mr Mangoma called his Renewal Democrats of Zimbabwe.