By Tererai Karimakwenda
Government has reportedly spent more public funds on luxury vehicles for legislators, despite public outcry over an estimated $20 million that had already been spent on cars for cabinet ministers.
A report in the Daily News on Sunday revealed that government recently bought 300 Ford Luxury Rangers for members of parliament, costing the public $4.5 million.
Blessing Vava, from the Committee of the Peoples Charter (CPC), told SW Radio Africa that the luxury vehicles had already been purchased and were awaiting distribution. He said some beneficiaries had already sold at least one of their vehicles, expecting a new replacement from government.
“This means MPs will now own three cars each, including the ones they were given by the Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono, last year. Do they need a luxury car, an off road car and another jeep,” Vava explained.
A statement from the Prime Minister’s office last week said that legislators need the off road vehicles for “outreach duties”. However Vava questioned the need for more than one vehicle for each MP, saying it was “unjustified”.
He accused legislators of “colluding” with cabinet, instead of overseeing the actions of ministers. “It is unfortunate that they have abandoned the people who elected them,” Vava said, adding:
“We are now seeing a misplacement of priorities, with a focus on luxury at the expense of the poor majority of Zimbabweans. We elected MPs to rectify many things that are wrong with our economy, education, health and civil servants are struggling to survive, they are forgetting all these things,” said the frustrated activist.
The CPC has approached government with petitions, demanding that the vehicles be returned and the money be channeled into many other areas that would help those who are marginalized. But there has been no response. SW Radio Africa