The MPs claim there are justified in having more vehicles since the government owes them unpaid seating allowances are due to receive Toyota vehicles that are valued at $17 000.
Zimbabwe has 304 MPs who include senators, elected and those appointed by principals in Government of National Unity (GNU).
This means that the struggling government that has failed to look at the welfare of its workers will splash at least $5 million for the vehicles that will add to the growing fleet of MPs vehicles.
The MPs got vehicles when they assumed office in 2008 and have been complaining that the executive has not been paying them for their seating in parliament as well as committees.
While the government has been saying that it does not have money to pay the MPs there is a sudden change of heart in the treasury which recently spent at least $20 million on vehicles for ministers and their deputies and other top government officials who include permanent secretaries.
“The government owed us $75 000 and should have bought us vehicles that have similar value, however, they just want to appease us with these tokens,” said an MP who asked not to be named.
According to sources in the government, the vehicles are meant to silence MPs who are unhappy with the purchasing of posh vehicles by the executive.
The tax payers in Zimbabwe will again bear the costs for the luxury of MPs as they did for the luxury of ministers.
Kudakwashe Bhasikiti the chairman of the parliamentary welfare committee however, said that there is no such thing.
"Where did you get that, there is no response yet from the executive, we have just made our case known," said Bhasikiti.
Post published in: News