MPs are to get the latest 4×4 luxury Toyota Land Cruisers, among other perks, after arm twisting Finance Minister, Prof Mthuli Ncube. ...
MPs are to get the latest 4×4 luxury Toyota Land Cruisers,
among other perks, after arm twisting Finance Minister, Prof Mthuli Ncube.
Parliament bid for $163 million in the 2019 budget, but was
allocated $101 million. Yesterday, MPs from across the political divide
threatened that they would not pass Ncube’s 2019 National Budget unless they
got things their way.
Newsday reports that after haggling, the MPs eventually
settled for $145 million after they demanded that their welfare be improved to
equal that of members of the Executive and the Judiciary. They also want
Parliament to be equipped with state-of-the-art gyms, vehicles, computers, and
other such luxuries.
Norton MP Temba Mliswa who was instrumental
in canvassing MPs to demand good perks, said: “MPs are handicapped and we are
talking of only one car, a Land Cruiser, which is the only car good enough for
MPs to do their work because the Mazdas and Toyotas we get are not good
enough.”
Mliswa said MPs were looked down upon because they did not
even have iPads, adding that the $75 per diem was a pittance, and needed to be
reviewed. Mliswa said the diet of MPs, where they eat a one course meal with a
banana or apple for desert, was not proper as other Parliaments had more
savoury desserts like trifles and ice cream.
“MPs must have world-class gyms and recreational facilities
to play golf. MPs must also be given diplomatic passports,” Mliswa said.
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