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MPs to get vehicles from government not RBZ
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC)
April 16, 2009

The MDC acknowledges the important role played by legislators in both the upper and lower houses on issues of community development, feedback forums in their constituencies and the frequent consultative processes that are required to keep their constituents informed about what their representatives are doing in Parliament.

As a party, we are aware of the need for MPs to have instruments of delivery such as offices, computers and vehicles. The issue of their vehicles should be handled by through the Vehicle Loan Scheme put in place by Parliament and the government of Zimbabwe. We have not heard that Parliament is no longer handling this scheme to the extent that the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe could once again become a central player in dishing out and distributing largesse when the government is now agreed that the Central Bank should not engage in quasi-fiscal activities.

It is disturbing to note that the RBZ continues to be abused and to abuse itself by continuing to engage itself in quasi-fiscal operations when such operations should migrate to the government through the Ministry of Finance. Engaging in distribution of capital products is in itself a quasi-fiscal activity.

The MDC has a strong position against quasi-fiscal operations which have ground our once vibrant economy to a virtual standstill. We do not have any report as a party that any of our MPs has collected a vehicle from the RBZ but if there is any that have done, then they have acted against the party position. Their case will be brought before the National Executive and the National Council and these party organs will take a final decision on the matter.

The MDC believes that national institutions must refrain from those activities that have run aground our economy. The RBZ cannot continue to dabble in nefarious activities that have since been condemned by the inclusive government.

The nation wants to start afresh. The MDC is a party of excellence.

We believe the inclusive government must open a new chapter of prudence, accountability and honesty. We cannot at this juncture begin to puncture the people's hopes and aspirations by scoring cheap popularity points on serious national matters. The Central Bank cannot be allowed to corrupt and poison the legislature.

Zimbabwe deserves its place among the family of nations. But we can only do so when we begin to respect values such as honesty, accountability and fiscal prudence.

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