via MPs get $35 000 all-terrain vehicles in $11 million govt scheme 2 July 2014 by Staff Reporter
LEGISLATORS have begun taking delivery of the all-terrain Ford Ranger vehicles under an $11 million vehicle purchase scheme financed by the government.
The legislators started receiving their new wheels worth about $35 000 each last week from Croco Motors. They are expected to pay for the vehicles over five years.
Some parliamentarians from rural areas said they were happy that they test-drove the vehicles to their constituencies at the weekend to see how they compared to their old vehicles on rugged terrain.
“We needed the vehicles to travel across our rural constituencies. I went to my constituency over the weekend on new wheels,” Tsholotsho North MP Roslyn Nkomo said yesterday.
Nketa MP Phelela Masuku also confirmed getting a new vehicle through the same scheme, but said legislators were still not happy because their allowances were still outstanding.
“We are happy that we have received the vehicles, but then we do not eat the vehicles,” he said. “We are still owed allowances. We need the allowances for sustenance.”
Pumula legislator Albert Mhlanga said the vehicles were long overdue and were not enough compensation.
“We want our monies from Parliament. We are owed lots of money from the previous Parliament,” he said.
Legislators are owed about $4 million in sitting allowances from the last Parliament and about $1,4 million by the current Parliament. Zanu PF legislator Temba Mliswa recently said the Ford Rangers were not good enough for the MPs.
He said no one should be apologetic for getting the new vehicles and attacked them as sub-standard and of poor quality to what MPs deserved.
Mliswa also attacked the government for buying vehicles from a private company Croco Motors instead of capacitating the struggling State-owned Willowvale Mazda Motor Industries.
The country’s largest car assembly plant is currently stuttering under the weight of crippling debt and declining sales volumes caused by a spectacular meltdown in its diversified motor industry putting 210 jobs at risk.
COMMENTS
Why can’t these idiots think outside the box.
Instead of spending $11 million on all terrain vehicles for the few, why don’t they spend $11 million on repairing the roads for ALL.
Does this not makes more sense.
Ian smith used to drive a Peugeot when he was prime minister
Talk about insanity. We need volunteer representatives right now. Those who need luxurious life styles must look for jobs elsewhere.
“Pumula legislator Albert Mhlanga said the vehicles were long overdue and were not enough compensation.”
Another one complaining like this arrogant idiot Mliswa they dont seem satisfied with what they have . the more they have the more they want
If they were givn Lambourginis will they be satisfied? OMG
they are the one that are teaching people to be greedy
Ian Smith was way better than these, I did not grow up in the colonial era but with the rubish we have I wish the Zanu forces would have lost the war we would be at the level of europe by now. Pure rubish I say just pure rubish in its purest form
When campaigning for votes it’s all about serving the people. After getting elected the main priority is a new car, allowances, land,& more allowances. What kind of chit is this?
Croco motors as usual benefitting. But we know of course the zanupf rogues behind this cash cow for thieving shefus. Croco motors. Anyway we don’t need a joke parliament
Ford Rangers will last no more than 12 months in Zimbabwe.Fords are normally the very last choice of anyone buying a 4 wheel drive.Ford – just above the Lada and Proton. Zimbabwe has once again been sold a lemon !
I disagree Biggus , I drove a ford Ranger for 3 years and did 250 000 km’s mostly off road and it was still like new. The difference is I paid for my car so naturally looked after it. I guarantee you these imbeciles will destroy them in 2 months and then complain about it.
The Ford Ranger is good off road, when you look after it and service it regularly. Bet these don’t last 12 months.
Complaining about quality of vehicles and allowances yet have time and money to shop in China!!!What a joke.. a little bit of money keeps them eating out of bobs hand….