adminZvamaida Murwira Senior Reporter
PARLIAMENT is struggling to recover over $1,2 million in vehicle loans given to 30 legislators expelled from the august House at the instigation of their respective political parties.
It is now more than a year since the legislators were ejected from Parliament, the majority of them being from MDC-T. They were dismissed after they joined Mr Tendai Biti’s People’s Democratic Party, formerly MDC- Renewal.
Zanu-PF also fired legislators believed to have links with deposed Vice President Dr Joice Mujuru.
In an interview recently, Clerk of Parliament Mr Kennedy Chokuda confirmed non-payment of the cars under Parliament’s Vehicle Loan Scheme despite letters being written to the former MPs.
“They have not paid up. We have written to the concerned MPs asking them to pay up.
“Every Member of Parliament who received a vehicle under Government’s loan facility is obliged to pay. Some of them have responded by coming to make payment plans,” said Mr Chokuda.
He said each MP was given a vehicle worth $35 000. Most of the vehicles were off-road Ford Rangers.
In March, Parliament ejected 21 MPs from the MDC-T after the opposition party informed presiding officers that the legislators had ceased to be members of that party.
The number rose to 22 following the expulsion of former Bulawayo senator Matson Hlalo a fortnight ago.
Senator Hlalo was dismissed for taking the MDC-T to court over control of Bulawayo Province.
Online Reporter