BULAWAYO
–
The
government
says
Monomotapa
Crowne
Plaza
hotel
which
it
acquired
through
the
public
service
pension
fund
in
August
will
be
used
to
house
Members
of
Parliament.
The
182-bed
hotel
in
central
Harare
was
sold
by
African
Sun.
Finance
minister
Mthuli
Ncube
announced
the
development
to
MPs
attending
a
pre-budget
seminar
in
Bulawayo
on
Wednesday.
He
said:
“Did
we
ever
tell
the
MPs
that
we
bought
them
a
hotel?
If
you
allow
me,
I’m
going
to
announce
today
that
we
have
bought
you
a
hotel.
It’s
Monomotapa
Hotel.
“This
is
for
use
by
MPs….
This
strategic
move
is
aimed
at
ensuring
the
comfort
and
convenience
of
legislators
during
parliamentary
sessions
and
national
events,
while
also
reducing
accommodation
costs
previously
incurred
through
private
bookings.”
Ncube
would
not
say
how
the
hotel
will
finance
its
operations
and
earn
money
for
the
pension
fund,
but
hinted
that
it
will
also
be
open
to
the
public
based
on
the
availability
of
rooms.
“We
will
now
come
up
with
a
scheme
of
how
it
can
be
utilised
for
the
benefit
of
MPs.
When
you’re
not
using
it,
it
can
earn
revenue
for
its
upkeep,”
said
Ncube.
The
Monomotapa
Hotel,
known
for
its
distinctive
architecture
inspired
by
the
ancient
Kingdom
of
Monomotapa,
is
one
of
Harare’s
most
recognisable
landmarks,
located
next
to
the
Harare
Gardens.