Transport boost for ministers ahead of the polls (17-07-07)

l sources said this is being done as a measure to prolong the
lifespan of the new ministerial Mercedes Benz vehicles which,
government contends, should not be subjected to terrain for which they are not
suitable – especially now during campaigns.

However, sources within the Central Mechanical Equipment Department
(CMED), a government department responsible for maintaining government vehicles,
said the 4×4 vehicles are being bought under a scheme tailor-made for
ministers so that the vehicles would eventually become their personal
property.

Two months ago the government purchased 48 C350 Mercedes Benz for
exclusive use by ministers and their deputies. It then sold the older Mercedes
Benz E230 to ministers for Z$5 million (US$5) instead of the market value
of US$50,000. Government lost about US$2,1 million in the process, raising
a public outcry that ministers were robbing the public fiscus.

Some senior ministers who had known about the chicanery in advance are
said to have taken their old Mercedes Benz to the CMED for major repairs and
engine overhauls just weeks before they bought the same vehicles for a
song, further prejudicing public coffers.

Observers say ministers were being pampered with perks to reinvigorate
them as they campaigned for Mugabe and his Zanu (PF) party.
“He is peddling patronage. Simple,” said the observer.