Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube has admitted that the government spent millions of dollars on unbudgeted twin-cab vehicles for chiefs earlier this year, causing significant financial strain on their parent ministry.
Ncube’s admission came during a parliamentary session on Wednesday, where Clemence Chiduwa, the chairperson of the Budget, Finance, and Economic Development Portfolio Committee, questioned him about unauthorized expenditures by various ministries.
Ncube defended the spending, explaining that the vehicles are necessary for chiefs to perform their duties and engage with their communities.
“The Council of Chiefs incurred excess expenditures, primarily due to the unplanned purchase of 237 vehicles for chiefs, as well as the revision of allowances and costs associated with national events,” Ncube stated, emphasizing that the vehicles were the main expense and are considered essential tools of trade.
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With each 4×4 Isuzu twin-cab vehicle priced at around US$70,000, the total cost exceeded US$17 million.
The provision of these high-end vehicles raised concerns, with critics alleging that the chiefs were being rewarded for supporting the ruling party, Zanu PF, during past election campaigns.
Traditional leaders have played significant roles in Zanu PF’s election strategy, including influencing voters and controlling the distribution of food aid.
Despite criticism, Ncube maintained that the chiefs needed the vehicles to be mobile and effectively serve their constituents, although the expenditure exceeded the allocated budget. Treasury covered the cost using unallocated reserves.
The situation draws parallels to the 1997 incident when war veterans pressured then-President Robert Mugabe into granting unbudgeted financial benefits, which led to significant economic repercussions.
Economists argue that such fiscal mismanagement has long-term detrimental effects on the country’s economy, as seen during Zimbabwe’s notorious Black Friday.
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