HARARE - President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu PF has offered its winning and losing candidates the option to buy their campaign vehicles.
Joram Gumbo, Zanu PF chief whip, confirmed to the Daily News that he was tasked to deliver the message to the legislators this week during their party’s parliamentary caucus meeting.
“All the MPs that had vehicles have been given the option to buy the vehicles that they used to campaign, as there was confusion on the matter on whether they were to return the vehicles to the headquarters or not,” Gumbo told the Daily News.
“This was one of the matters we discussed in our parliamentary caucus meeting yesterday.
“The party chairman Simon Khaya-Moyo sent the message to all our MPs explaining the matter during the beginning of the year, but however some of the legislators did not receive the message so he asked me inform them that the party had given them the vehicles.”
Last year, Zanu PF acquired 550 vehicles at a cost of $14 million and motor bikes for 68 districts to ensure that its campaign managers and their foot soldiers reached all areas, including remote districts, to mobilise voters.
It bought an assortment of single and double cab 4X4 vehicles including Toyota Hilux, Nissan NP300, Ford Ranger and Mazda BT50s.
A stand-off between the party and its MPs was brewing as secretary for administration, Didymus Mutasa, ordered the legislators to surrender the vehicles for party use.
However, the legislators refused arguing that they were yet to receive their cars under the Parliamentary Vehicle Loan Scheme.
Khaya Moyo said: “The Politburo’s position on this matter is very clear. Those party candidates who won the election and are now Members of Parliament can keep their cars while payment arrangements are being finalised with Parliament.
“Those who lost in the election indeed also contributed to the party’s massive win and must produce their payment plans for the said cars to the party’ secretary for Transport and Social Welfare, Nicholas Goche.
“Those who lost and are without means to pay for the cars must return the same to the provincial headquarters soonest. I hope this statement clarifies the position once and for all.”