HARARE - An armoured car that Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai used during the run-up to the 2008 elections has been left to rust after being impounded.

The luxury BMW X5 - which was impounded in 2008 as Tsvangirai made his way to Matabeleland North for a rally - was donated for Tsvangirai's use by South African businessman Adrian Espag.

Police say Espag breached the Customs and Excise Act when he handed the car to Jameson Timba, now Minister of State in the Prime Minister's office. The Act states that the owner of a vehicle brought into the country on a temporary import permit should not hand it over to any other person.

Espag's Bulawayo-based lawyer, Job Sibanda, told the Sunday Times this week that the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra), had imposed a fine of US$2000 for the breach of the Act.

"That money was subsequently paid. However, the police are refusing to hand over the car to my clients," said Sibanda.

He said the police wanted Espag to present himself to them.

"It is not really clear why the police would want to interview Espag.

"What should happen is that if there is a breach of the Act, a penalty is levied on the vehicle and that penalty is paid without the defaulter having to be interviewed by the police," said Sibanda.

It has emerged, however, that the police would have to issue a clearance letter for Espag to be able to remove the car from Zimbabwe.

Sibanda said the letter could be issued without the owner of the car having to answer questions from the police.

Tsvangirai, during his recent visit to Lupane, castigated police for leaving the car exposed to the elements.

"I am disappointed at the manner in which this vehicle has been handled by the police. They forget that someone is going to pay duty for this vehicle. How then would the property owner pay duty on property like this?" said Tsvangirai.