Parly to summon vehicle suppliers for failing to deliver to government departments

Parliament has resolved to issue out summons to car dealers contracted to supply motor vehicles to government ministries and departments and failed to do so as it also emerged some of them received payments from the state and later closed shop.

The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Public Accounts on Monday said it will issue summons to car dealers to force them to appear before it to explain why they failed to deliver to delivered the vehicles that had been fully paid for.

According to the Auditor General’s 2022 report, several car dealers are in the habit of not supplying vehicles to government entities despite being paid full amounts.

For instance, in 2022, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority suffered a US$1.7 million loss after buying 35 Toyota Hilux double-cab cars and 50 Toyota Corolla vehicles from Mike Harris, which were never delivered.

The car dealers, Solution Motors, Duly’s, Mike Harris, and Faramatsi were supposed to appear before the committee on Monday but did not show up.

Public Accounts Committee chairperson, Charlton Hwende, said legislators resolved to have the car dealers dragged to appear before them by way of summons.

“We have resolved that we are going to ask the Clerk of Parliament to issue summons in terms of the Standing Orders so that they can be forced to come here and answer,” he said.

One of the dealers, Solution Motors, told the committee that it had since closed shop.

But Hwende, who is the Kuwadzana East Member of Parliament, said it shows that they did not take the Committee seriously.

“Solution Motors claim they closed down. I think it’s now the norm that you just get money from the government and don’t supply or close shop,” he said.

“Those from Solution Motors who claim to have closed shop must be summoned in their individual capacity.”

He said what was more concerning was that in the latest 2023 Auditor General’s report, more suppliers did not fulfill their tender contracts, despite getting payment.

“The problem that we have is if you look into the 2023 Auditor General’s Report, these cases are increasing,” said – New Ziana