ZANU PF is tight-lipped on the fate of hundreds of brand new Ford Everest vehicles it gave to its candidates, amid indications that the party would recall cars given to candidates who lost in last week’s elections.
Nduduzo Tshuma
There has been speculation among Zanu PF officials that the party was on the verge of repossessing the vehicles from losing candidates while those who won would retain them.
Others, however, said all candidates would retain the vehicles. The party splashed an estimated $10 million in acquiring the vehicles for its candidates contesting in the 210 national assembly constituencies 10 days before the polls.
Zanu PF spokesperson Rugare Gumbo yesterday declined to comment on the matter saying: “I do not know about that. I was not a candidate.” Party secretary for administration, Didymus Mutasa, questioned what interests Southern Eye had on the matter.
“What is your interest in it? That matter is not of any immediate interest to us now,” he said.
However, some party insiders said the vehicles would be repossessed from losing candidates.
“What we heard is that those candidates were given the vehicles on condition that they win the polls,” a source said. “Those that did not win are likely going to lose those vehicles when the party recalls them.”
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Another party insider, however, said it was not yet clear what was to happen to the vehicles.
“We have not heard anything yet,” he said. “I don’t think the party will be repossessing the vehicles though, but we will wait for official communication.”
According to the vehicle maker’s South African website, prices of the Ford Everest range between R384 800 and R450 800, meaning Zanu PF could have spent more than R100 million in acquiring the vehicles, a figure that translates to more than $10 million.
The source of funds to buy the vehicles was not immediately clear, but there had been reports that President Robert Mugabe was trying to source money for his party from countries such as China.
