KEY POINTS
- The government spent over $17 million on unbudgeted vehicles for chiefs.
- Critics argue the vehicles were rewards for chiefs’ support during elections.
- The finance minister justified the expenses, despite it causing a budget deficit.
“It must say it should be noted that the Council of Chiefs incurred excess expenditures on its vote due, in part, to the unbudgeted procurement of 237 vehicles for chiefs as well as review of allowances and other related national events,” he said.
“However, the vehicles were the bulk of this expenditure. These are tools of trade.”
As reported by Newsday, one of the twin-cab vehicles is around US$70,000 in the local market. This could only mean that the government spent over US$17 million on the vehicles it purchased for the chiefs. The giving out of the vehicles as gifts to the chiefs across the country was a questionable act.
Allegations of election influence
Critics pointed out that the car gifts were rewards of the campaign the chiefs carried out for Zanu PF at the last election and also for supporting the extension of Mnangagwa’s stay in power until 2030.
The Chiefs and other traditional leaders played crucial roles in Zanu PF winning the election. They forced their subjects to vote for the party and also manipulated food aid distribution.
Economic consequences and justifications
Ncube further justified the action was saying that the chiefs deserved the vehicles.
“They ought to be able to move around to attend to their constituents and they need to be mobile,” he said.
“So, this is important, but unfortunately, it was way above their budget, but we were able to cover for it as Treasury through unallocated reserves.”
Economists blame the economic challenges of the country on the culmination of fiscal recklessness, evidenced by the giving out of unbudgeted and unnecessary hefty packages.
