THE Minister of Public Service and Labour, Anastase Murekezi, yesterday pledged that efforts will be made to support families of deceased lawmakers.He made the assurance while appearing before the parliamentary standing committee on social affairs, after concerns were raised last week over the way lawmakers’ vehicles are immediately confiscated upon their death.The issue had come up as the minister presented a draft organic law determining allowances and fringe benefits for the country’s topmost politicians, before the committee, for thorough scrutiny.“A politician who passes away usually had personally signed a contract with government, through Mininfra, and up to now, there is no clause clarifying what happens upon death, but from this experience and what has happened in recent months, it is clear there is a problem,” he told the committee. When lawmakers raised concerns over the matter during the bill’s initial tabling before the plenary, early last week, Murekezi acknowledged the matter but noted that he could not devise an immediate solution.But after fresh requests that the government should pay attention and consider addressing the matter, yesterday, he said: “During the signing of this contract with Mininfra, we should consider whether another clause should be inserted, but it is not necessary that this clause appears in the organic law or the Presidential Order.”Lawmakers, last week, noted that when an MP passes away, the government slaps the family with taxes (on the vehicles) that had earlier been waived, thus making it almost impossible for surviving members to carry on with payments. Lawmakers and other politicians are facilitated to get tax-free means of transportation, which they go on to pay in instalments. However, the concern is that, upon death, the taxes are reinstated.The minister told the lawmakers that he will duly table the matter before cabinet and that considerations on whether taxes can be foregone, at least, for a departed MP, will be made.
