Biti Wins Battle On MPs Cars

Finance Minister Tendai Biti appears to have won his battle against some legislators over the purchase of vehicles from Willowvale Mazda Motor Industries following reports that at least 80 parliamentarians bought cars from the local car assembly in spite of initial resistance.

The parliamentarians initially objected to Minister Biti's proposal to buy the Mazda BT50 model vehicles from WMMI, arguing that they were not suitable for rough terrain and were expensive to maintain.

They subsequently insisted on purchasing vehicles from dealerships of their choice.

However, informed sources last week said Minister Biti had instructed Treasury not to release funds to any car dealer because a deal had already been entered into with WMMI. A source at WMMI confirmed that legislators had started collecting the vehicles.

"Approximately 80 have collected their vehicles so far. The figure is, however, continuously changing as more come to collect their cars," the source said. Zanu-PF Chief Whip Cde Joram Gumbo, however, said there was nothing wrong with parliamentarians purchasing vehicles from the local car assembly.

"The Ministry of Finance negotiated with other suppliers other than WMMI and there are about six other companies that have also been engaged to supply the vehicles. "People are not buying from Willowvale alone but other suppliers, that is what I know," he said.

Chairperson of the parliamentarians' welfare committee, Cde Makhosini Hlongwane, echoed similar sentiments, saying legislators wanted to retain the right to choose vehicles of their choice.

"They are the ones who will be using these cars and so it is only fair that they should have the right to select what kind of vehicle they need," he said. MDC-T Chief Whip Mr Innocent Gonese confirmed that the legislators had started buying vehicles under the deal reached by Minister Biti and the car assembler.

"Yes, the legislators have been collecting the cars as and when they are available," he said. Mr Gonese denied that they had initially rejected the deal.

"There is nothing like that. This loan scheme is a Government programme that has been going on," he said.

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