MASVINGO— The city council has offered former mayor Hubert Fidze the vehicle he used during his tenure of office at a price of $31 000.
The Isuzu KB 250D-TEQ Double Cab bought in 2016 at $54 000 has been offered to Fidze as his exit package.
Town Clerk Adolf Gusha said the council resolved to have Fidze buy the car he used at the agreed price saying the council policy states that vehicles depreciate at 20 percent over a period of five years.
“A full council meeting has resolved to offer the mayoral official car to the former mayor at a discounted rate of $31 081, 57, as his exit package.
“Council bought the vehicle in April 2016 at a cost of $54 850. Council policy states that vehicles are depreciated at 20 percent over a period of five years,” said Gusha.
Fidze has however appealed for the revision of the price downwards saying the said amount is way out of his reach.
“I was given an offer to buy the car I used during my term of office but the price is way up. I cannot afford it and have appealed with the council to make a more reasonable offer because I don’t see where I can get that amount.
“The vehicle was once involved in an accident and coupled with the mileage it has now, it is not worth the said amount. I have presented my appeal and I hope they will reconsider and revise their price,” said Fidze.
Masvingo United Residents and Ratepayers Alliance (MURRA) spokesperson Godfrey Mtimba said the council was being unreasonable with their price saying they should have given him the car for free.
“Fidze was a good city father. He put the name of Masvingo on the national and regional map. The least thing he deserves is to be given that car for free. We know he was not an executive mayor but the council and city cannot thank him enough for the services rendered.
“The $31 000 is a way of shutting him out because they know he can never access such an amount. If they do not want to give him the car for free, they should seriously revise the price to clear,” said Mtimba.
Former Chiredzi Town Council secretary Francis Moyo bought the car he used, Toyota Hilux D4D Double Cab, during his term of office at a clear $5 000.