Z$500 Billion to be used to buy vehicles for MP’s and Senators

By Lance Guma
31 May 2006

Zimbabwe’s Weekly Standard newspaper reports that the government will use Z$500 billion to buy luxury 4x4 twin-cab vehicles for Members of Parliament and senators. The paper says ‘the Reserve Bank has already released about US$350,000 (Z$36,4 billion) for the purchase of some of the top of the range Isuzu, Mitsibishu, Nissan and Toyota vehicles for the legislators.’ A total of 191 legislators in both houses of parliament are expected to benefit from the Member of Parliament Vehicle Revolving Fund (MPVRF).

The Standard reports that the Central Bank will be releasing about US$150,000 (Z$15,6 billion) every week for the purchase of the cars until all senators and MP’s have one. The paper cites an official with Haddon Motors in Harare confirming that they had received an order for 24 Isuzu Twin Cabs from Parliament. "I can confirm an order of 24 vehicles but cannot for now act on it because we are still waiting for payment," he is quoted as saying.

Each vehicle is expected to cost a total of Z$6 billion after VAT. The clerk of parliament Austin Zvoma is quoted by the paper as saying, "the Reserve Bank has so far released US$350,000 and has assured the board (MPVRF board) that it will release about US$150,000 every week depending on the availability of the foreign currency." Apparently each legislator has been awarded a ceiling figure of US$30,000 despite some of the vehicles having an average price of US$24,000. Zvoma defended the purchases saying they would enable the legislators to travel any terrain in Zimbabwe as they go about their work.

Although the facility is a loan, the allocation of forex for such purchases is considered a luxury in a country battling with a myriad of shortages from foreign currency, fuel, food, electricity and of late printed money.