US$40k windfall separates legislators from the peo...

US$40k windfall separates legislators from the people

Zim Now Writer

The government i

The announcement is set to spend millions of dollars on vehicle loans for legislators has sparked a lot of debate among citizens with some claiming that the current legislators do not represent the will of the ordinary people.

Speaking to Zim Now, National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) spokesperson Madock Chivasa said the current legislators are only after fattening their pockets.

“Our legislators are not concerned about the welfare of the people, half of them have not contributed anything in Parliament.

“Some of them are not developing their constituencies, they are only after allowances at the expense of ordinary people,” Chivasa said.

Government Chief Whip Pupurai Togarepi defended the move saying that government was just meeting its obligation.

“The employees requested for a loan from its employer (Government) and the employer felt that there was nothing wrong to give its employees a loan facility, there is no politics here,” Togarepi said.

Writing on his Twitter handle, Norton MP Temba Mliswa (Independent) said the nation should not be alarmed by US$40 000 promised to the MPs because the amount is part of the US$80 000 that was meant for the purchase of their vehicles.

He tweeted: “Just want to provide context and an explanation about the US$40 000 to be given to legislators. I’m the chairperson of the Welfare Committee Pressure Group. That figure isn’t a gift, but it’s a loan,” he said.

Mliswa added that MPs had been given US$80 000 for cars as approved in the budget, but they acquired vehicles for US$50 000, meaning that part of the US$40 000 is covered in the change of US$30 000.

“It’s also unfortunate that people operate with a mindset that MPs shouldn’t be supported in accordance with their offices and obligations. Every role and job has conditions of service. These are part of that. Why should the role of being an MP be dangerous, risky, and yet thankless?”

MPs previously could import only one vehicle duty-free during a five-year term.

According to the latest Statutory Instrument 80B of 2022, they can now get two vehicles worth up to US$60 000 each.

“It is hereby notified that the Minister of Finance and Economic Development has, in terms of section 235, as read with section 120, of the Customs and Excise Act [Chapter 23:02], made the following regulations:

“These regulations may be cited as the Customs and Excise (General) (Amendment) Regulations, 2022 (No. 109),” read the statement.