adminNduduzo Tshuma Senior Reporter
PARLIAMENT is in the dark about the six legislators who were involved in accidents days after collecting their top of the range Ford Ranger vehicles from Croco Motors, the Clerk of Parliament, Austin Zvoma, said yesterday.
On Thursday, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Dr Obert Mpofu revealed that at least six parliamentarians were involved in accidents at various places after collecting the vehicles.
Zanu-PF Matabeleland North chairman Cde Richard Moyo confirmed that Cde Mail Nkomo, an MP from the province, was last week involved in an accident with the car that was being driven by her son.
Cde Nkomo yesterday told Chronicle she was involved in the accident last week and was admitted at St Luke’s Hospital for four days.
“I had minor head and chest injuries. On the chest it must have been the seat belt that I was wearing that scratched me,” she said.
“We’ve reported the crash to the police.”
However, Zvoma said he had not received any reports of any MP who was involved in an accident.
“I’m not aware of the matter; no one has reported to Parliament on the matter so I have no knowledge that anyone was involved in an accident,” he said.
“They know the procedure on what to do in the event of such an incident. They should also notify the vehicle distribution company and the vehicle insurance company.”
About 290 legislators received brand new all-terrain vehicles under the Parliamentary Vehicle Loan Scheme through a deal with Croco Motors at a cost of about $10 million.
MPs started collecting the vehicles at the beginning of last month.
They will pay for the cars through their sitting allowances.
The government set a ceiling of $35,000 per vehicle with MPs who would have settled for vehicles beyond the figure being asked to pay the difference.
Croco Motors will supply the vehicles on a credit facility to be settled by government in eight months while the legislators will pay back the dues during their five-year term.
derick.khumalo