The vehicles were dished out in 2008, when their net value was $30,000. The recipients, who have held on to them since then, are now being asked to pay $700 each for them.
In 2008, feeling the heat from the new government of national unity, Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono gave 50 brand new vehicles to legislators from Zanu (PF) and both factions of the MDC.
Finance Minister Tendai Biti read the riot act and legislators from the MDC party returned the vehicles. But Zanu (PF) MPS kept their vehicles.
Most of the vehicles were acquired using funds pillaged from NGO and private company accounts, which the central bank has not reimbursed to this day.
Some of the vehicles were used by the CIO, the army and Zanu (PF)'s death squads during the 2008 terror campaign against the MDC.
Since independence Zanu (PF) officials and those well connected to the former ruling party have had unfettered access to a wide range of publicly-funded perks – including invaded commercial farms, farm equipment and massive loans from government-owned banks.
Post published in: News