Zimbabwe MPs Under Fire for Requesting Extra Cars After 40,000km Claims
Zimbabweans have reacted with shock and anger after some MPs requested a second set of cars, just months after receiving expensive government-issued vehicles.
The request was made by Marondera Central MP Caston Matewu, who spoke on behalf of Portfolio Committee Chairpersons during discussions on the 2025 national budget in Parliament. Matewu argued that the vehicles MPs received earlier this year were already “overused” due to extensive travel.
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“40,000 Kilometres Already”
Matewu explained the reasoning behind the demand:
“All Portfolio Committee Chairpersons agree with me that every week we are always on the road, constantly travelling. As it stands, if you look at the distances travelled by the vehicles we were given, mine has already clocked around 40,000 kilometres because we are always on the move as chairpersons.”
He added: “Therefore, we are requesting that within the 2025 budget, funds be allocated to purchase a second set of vehicles, but ones that are not expensive, to enable us to carry out our parliamentary duties as stipulated by our Standing Orders.”
The current MPs were elected in August 2023 and received top-of-the-range cars between April and May. They were asked to choose either a Toyota GD6, Toyota Fortuner, Ford Ranger, Ford Everest or the latest Isuzu valued at US$60 000. Chairpersons of portfolio committees got vehicles worth US$ 70 000 each.
Social Media Erupts
Unsurprisingly, Matewu’s request sparked public outrage, with Zimbabweans criticising MPs for being out of touch with the country’s economic struggles. Social media was flooded with comments condemning the move.
Tinashe Moyo (@MoyoTinash844) tweeted: “This exposes all MPs across the political divide. All rural MPs have to buy or build houses in Harare, have big cars to visit their constituencies once in a while. They spend their entire terms in Parliament running private errands. Zimbabwean politics is for enrichment.”
Freedom Fighter (@ariseandshne) wrote: “This is a disappointing request and was not supposed to come from opposition members. Given the state of the economy and how the general populace is living in poverty, opposition members were not supposed to request cars.”
Others were even more direct in their criticism.
Josphat Beto (@BetoJosphat) questioned: “Hamunzwewo tsitsi here nhai @cmatewu? Nyika ine nzara, zvipatara hazvina mishonga nezvekushandisa apa imi mukuda dzimwe mota.”
Timz (@lenos_timz) commented: “It’s normal that people pretend to be pro-poor before voted into offices. Once they get inside, they show their real extravagant attitudes. What about channeling that money towards hospitals like what you’ve been telling others to do with their own money?”
Matewu Responds
Following the backlash, Matewu defended himself, claiming he was simply delivering resolutions from a Chairpersons’ meeting.
“Just to make it clear, I was simply reading out resolutions from Chairpersons meeting who had requested a low-cost vehicle for travelling across the country weekly in executing their duties, NOT giving my personal views. Personally, I had already expressed my feelings.”
However, his clarification did little to calm the public’s anger. Many Zimbabweans argued that the MPs’ priorities were misplaced, given the state of the economy.
Mlungisi Dube (@OkaPhusisa) retorted: “Can you also show us where you requested at least one district ambulance? So you people think public office positions are about you living comfortably at the expense of the public? Low cost yani? Use those vehicles already issued.”
Lashias Ncube (@lashiasn) added: “It’s the temerity and shamelessness to even ask for ‘motikari dzechipiri’, a second vehicle for some MPs. I would have been embarrassed to read a resolution so tone-deaf to the plight of many. Were you not embarrassed?”
The debate has continued to rage online and offline. With Zimbabwe facing numerous economic challenges, citizens are demanding that MPs prioritise the needs of the public over their own convenience.
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The post Outrage As Zimbabwe MPs Demand Second Cars Just Months After Receiving Top of The Range Vehicles appeared first on iHarare News.
