It has come to light that three car dealers with links to the ruling Zanu PF party are set to benefit significantly from a government contract to supply vehicles for Members of Parliament (MPs). The deal, valued at over US$21 million, involves the provision of top-of-the-range Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles to satisfy the demands of the country’s 280 MPs and 80 Senators.
The decision, disclosed through a memo from the Clerk of Parliament, Kennedy Chokuda, has named Executive Motors, Exquisite Motors, and Paza Buster as the chosen suppliers. This arrangement has sparked concerns over potential conflicts of interest and the integrity of public procurement processes in Zimbabwe.
The procurement’s announcement coincides with a period of extreme economic hardship for Zimbabwe, including a catastrophic drought brought on by El Nino that has left millions of people hungry. Even though the economy was in terrible shape, Members of Parliament put pressure on Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube in December by threatening to withhold his budget, which they denounced as being anti-poor, until their requests for new cars were satisfied.
The document provides MPs with detailed instructions on how to obtain these cars, including clauses allowing them to buy cars over the permitted budget at their own expense and requirements stating the cars cannot be sold for a minimum of five years. Chokuda claims that this is a typical arrangement designed to help members with the acquisition process without direct engagement from Parliament after the purchase conditions are set.
Investigations by NewsDay have revealed that the owners of the selected car dealerships have close ties to the Zanu PF party, raising questions about the transparency and fairness of the procurement process. Executive Motors is owned by Zanu PF Chivi Central legislator Exevia “Wezhaz” Maoneke, a businessman with interests in real estate and car hire. Exquisite Motors is allegedly owned by Victor Matiyenga, a dealer who has seen frequent patronage from Zanu PF sympathizer Wicknell Chivayo. Paza Buster is owned by Paul Chenjerai, a known Zanu PF supporter and businessman in the car and gold mining sectors.
Political experts have criticized these ties for raising the possibility of state control, in which corporate interests heavily sway policy decisions at the expense of the general welfare. Political analyst Pardon Taodzera contended that these kinds of transactions erode public confidence and strengthen the idea that public funds are being used for political favoritism rather than the good of the people.
Another political analyst, Aaron Hamauswa, made the observation that giving large contracts to businesses with political ties could erode public trust in the government’s handling of public monies and indicate more widespread corruption in the procurement procedures.
