Legislators are demanding their Constituency Development Fund and outstanding allowances to be paid in United States dollars and also to be issued duty free certificate to import vehicles ahead of the expiry of their term of office next year.
Norton MP Mr Temba Mliswa said the CDF and outstanding allowances should be paid in US dollars not bond notes arguing that the two are not equivalent. Said Mliswa:
I asked yesterday in what currency are we going to be given the outstanding money because our country says one US dollar is equal to one bond note but what is happening on the ground is the opposite. We want the Government to disburse this money in US dollars and not RTGS or bond notes, which requires one to top up with a certain percentage. The rate of depreciation of the US dollar is far much better compared to bond notes. We want this consideration to be taken on board that the CDF be disbursed in foreign currency.
Zanu-PF Chief whip, Lovemore Matuke supported the request to get duty free vehicles and said that those they got under the Parliamentary Vehicle Loan scheme had deteriorated. Said Matuke:
Going forward we request that the Minister of Finance and Economic Development addresses the issues that were raised by Hon Members for duty free certificates to import vehicles because most of their vehicles are dilapidated. Failure to comply will result in the money being eroded by inflation. I am also standing on behalf of my other Chief Whip, Honourable (MDC-T Innocent) Gonese.
Bulawayo MP and MDC-T Vice President, Ms Thokozani Khupe said that the CDF should also be given to non-constituency members but her suggestion was shot down by party colleague and Kuwadzana legislator Nelson Chamisa who said that Non Constituency MPs and Senators would participate as ex-officio members.
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