Government perks slashed

Mozambique’s government is cutting down on the perks of office – so driving a Mercedes-Benz and getting free housing will be things of the past for high-ranking officials. BBC News reports that Finance Minister Adriano Malaeiane said the aim was to save $120m next year. His announcement comes a month after the government came under fire for buying 45 cars at an estimated cost of $2m. ‘Due to the difficulties the state is facing to make housing available for high ranking governmental officials, it had resorted to renting. This has brought about enormous costs to the state. So, the measure now is to set an average ceiling, first to enforce discipline and secondly to save,’ Malaeiane is quoted in the report as saying.