New MPs to get vehicles

Lloyd Gumbo Harare Bureau
TREASURY has approved the purchase of vehicles for about 40 Members of Parliament who were elected in by-elections that were triggered by either expulsions from parties or death.

Local MPs are entitled to vehicles under a Parliament Vehicle Loan Scheme, with those who were sworn in after the 2013 harmonised elections having already received the cars.

The Government and Zanu-PF chief whip, Cde Lovemore Matuke, said the cars would be released soon.

“There’s progress because there is now communication between a local bank and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development to ensure the supply can be made, also from a local vehicle supplier,” said Cde Matuke.

“Parliament and the Ministry (of Finance and Economic Development) are discussing modalities of release of the vehicles. There’s some documentation that must be done between the bank, the vehicle supplier and Parliament. I’m just holding on to the communication as we speak.

“I can safely say the ministry is now ready to buy the vehicles which will enable the new MPs to go to their constituencies. So they should be getting their vehicles in the next few days.”

Under the current Parliamentary Vehicle Loan Scheme, Government liquidates MPs’ liabilities through travel and subsistence allowances due to them.

It is expected that by the time Parliament comes to end, the majority of MPs sworn in soon after the 2013 polls would have liquidated their debts.

Cde Matuke said new MPs who came in through by-elections should also be able to settle their debts by the time the life of this Parliament ends.

“Remember that since MPs were sworn in after the 2013 elections, they haven’t received their allowances and they’ve agreed that these can be converted to cover the vehicle loans.

“Moreso, from the $75 per sitting that MPs are entitled to, $40 was supposed to go towards vehicle loan clearance while $35 is given to the MP. But MPs haven’t been receiving the $35 which means they’re fast clearing the loan.

“By 2018 they would have cleared it. The same applies to MPs who’ll be getting their vehicles soon. They’ll clear them or they’ll still pay for them because this is a revolving fund. They’ll still be expected to pay,” said Cde Matuke.