OUTGOING Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai may get an exit package — including the government house he is living in and at least two vehicles.
JOHN NYASHANU
However, according to Tsvangirai’s spokesperson, Luke Tamborinyoka, the issue would be discussed directly with President Robert Mugabe.
Tamborinyoka yesterday refused to shed light on his boss’ possible exit package, but said Tsvangirai and Mugabe could meet soon to discuss the issue.
“If there are any exit package issues to talk about, the former Prime Minister will talk directly to the President and these are certainly not issues to discuss through the Press,” Tamborinyoka said.
Presidential spokesperson George Charamba also refused to speak on the issue yesterday although he has, in a previous interview with our sister paper the Zimbabwe Independent newspaper, indicated Tsvangirai could buy the Highlands home he was currently staying.
“No one will evict him from the house,” Charamba was quoted as saying on the sidelines of Mugabe’s inauguration last month.
“There was an agreement that he could purchase the property and the agreement still stands. The question is whether he can afford to pay for the house, because the State should get fair value for it.”
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Reliable sources yesterday said apart from the house, Tsvangirai could also be given the option to buy two vehicles, a Range Rover and a Mercedes Benz.
Outgoing ministers may, however, take with them their official vehicles which they would have to buy at book value and nothing more.
Outgoing Cabinet ministers whom NewsDay spoke to yesterday about the issue of packages said they did not know what would happen.
Outgoing Public Service minister Lucia Matibenga said: “To be honest, I know nothing about the (exit) package. All I know is that I received my end of August salary which was my last in government.
Unfortunately in the conditions of service (for ministers), nothing of that sort is mentioned. I still have the vehicle allocated to me though I may surrender it if ordered to do so when the new Cabinet is sworn in,” she said.
Another MDC-T minister who spoke on condition of anonymity also professed ignorance on what was due to him.
Ex-Energy minister Elias Mudzuri said he took with him only the vehicle he had been using which he bought at book value when he was relieved of his ministerial post in 2011.
“I was only given the right to buy my official vehicle, a Mercedes Benz E280, which I bought at book value for about $5 000,” Mudzuri said.
He said in his opinion, ex-ministers in Zimbabwe were getting a raw deal and deserved to get better exit packages. He said ministers were usually individuals who would have left their other jobs or businesses to go into government on a full-time basis and yet they were exposed to destitution upon leaving government.
“They must give them something like what other countries such as Nigeria do. These politicians would have left their jobs to serve their country full-time. They are then forced to return to politics to avoid being destitute,” Mudzuri said.
