Recent Zimbabwe corruption investigations have proved that legislators, who have been calling for greater accountability from the executive to curb the growing menace of corruption, are no better themselves.
Ministry of Justice officials said they were not able to check on projects that some of the legislators claimed to have embarked on under the Constituency Development Fund after being threatened by the Members of Parliament.
The officials said they complained about the threats to the then Minister of Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs Eric Matinenga, who belonged to the Movement for Democratic Change, to no avail.
The Constituency Development Fund was established by the inclusive government in 2010 for the development of constituencies to alleviate poverty and improve the standards of living for all Zimbabweans through developmental projects
However, according to a report by Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee, the accounts of the CDF received a disclaimer of opinion which implies that the auditor could not obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence to provide a basis for an opinion.
The committee said that the Ministry of Justice did not produce bank certificates for 53 constituencies raising doubt on the accuracy of the bank balance of $7 964 543 disclosed in the financial statements.
The bank statements produced for audit examination accounted for $4 921 491 leaving a balance of $3 043 052 unsupported resulting in a suspense account being created for the balance.
“The Ministry confirmed that the 53 constituencies had not submitted bank statements at the time of audit. However, the internal audit subsequently audited 44 of the 53 constituencies leaving out nine constituencies which had no bank statements,” committee chairperson Paurina Mpariwa said.
“The Committee was informed that Constituency Committees headed by National Assembly Members of Parliament were responsible for the administration of the CDF funds and the Ministry had no role.”
Ministry officials, however said that they encountered a lot of resistance as they tried to audit some of the constituencies.
The committee said that the Members of Parliament who resisted the audit of the funds were in violation of the provisions of the Section 80 (3) (a) of the Public Finance Management Act [Chapter 22:19] which requires internal auditors to have free access at all reasonable times to any records, books, vouchers, documents and public resources under the control of the Ministry or reporting unit concerned.
“The officials pointed out that they could receive information on projects being implemented on paper and the moment they make an attempt to go and physically check the projects, they were threatened by Members of Parliament,” the committee said.
“They reported the alleged threats to the then Minister of Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs but to no avail. This kind of behaviour also puts the name of Parliament, as an oversight institution, in disrepute.”
Below is a list of constituencies and Members of Parliament whose bank statements were not availed for audit.
Nkayi North S. Nyoni;
Shamva South N. Goche;
Marondera West Brig. A. Mutinhiri;
Zvimba South W. F. Chidhakwa;
Zvimba East P. Zhuwao;
Zvimba North I. Chombo;
Sanyati Mrs F. Chaderopa;
Hurungwe North P. Chanetsa; and
Harare South H. M. Nyanhongo.
Full Report
4.3 CONSTITUENCY DEVELOPMENT FUND (CDF) 2010
As mentioned earlier on, the accounts of the CDF received a disclaimer of opinion which implies that the auditor could not obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence to provide a basis for an opinion. Below were the issues raised on the CDF accounts.
4.3.1 Suspense Account
The Ministry did not produce bank certificates for 53 constituencies raising doubt on the accuracy of the bank balance of $7 964 543 disclosed in the financial statements. The bank statements produced for audit examination accounted for $4 921 491 leaving a balance of $3 043 052 unsupported resulting in a suspense account being created for the balance.
The Ministry confirmed that the 53 constituencies had not submitted bank statements at the time of audit. However, the internal audit subsequently audited 44 of the 53 constituencies leaving out nine constituencies which had no bank statements. The Committee was informed that Constituency Committees headed by National Assembly Members of Parliament were responsible for the administration of the CDF funds and the Ministry had no role.
The Ministry officials indicated that they encountered a lot of resistance as they tried to audit some of the constituencies. Considering that these were public funds appropriated through an act of Parliament, the Members of Parliament who resisted the audit of the funds were in violation of the provisions of the Section 80 (3) (a) of the Public Finance Management Act [Chapter 22:19]. The Act requires internal auditors to have free access at all reasonable times to any records, books, vouchers, documents and public resources under the control of the Ministry or reporting unit concerned.
The officials pointed out that they could receive information on projects being implemented on paper and the moment they make an attempt to go and physically check the projects, they were threatened by Members of Parliament. They reported the alleged threats to the then Minister of Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs but to no avail. This kind of behaviour also puts the name of Parliament, as an oversight institution, in disrepute.
Below is a list of constituencies and the sitting Members of Parliament whose bank statements were not availed for audit.
Nkayi North Honourable S. Nyoni;
Shamva South Honourable N. Goche;
Marondera West Honourable Brig. A. Mutinhiri;
Zvimba South Honourable W. F. Chidhakwa;
Zvimba East Honourable P. Zhuwao;
Zvimba North Honourable I. Chombo;
Sanyati Honourable Mrs F. Chaderopa;
Hurungwe North Honourable Mr P. Chanetsa; and
Harare South Honourable H. M. Nyanhongo.
In the absence of bank statements, there are high chances that public funds were converted to personal use. The Committee noted with concern that the Members of Parliament mentioned above acted irresponsibly by failing to account for public funds given that as elected representatives of the people, they should be exemplary when it comes to accountability in the use of public resources.
The Committee recommends that the Speaker of National Assembly, as Head of Parliament should compel the Members and former Members of Parliament to produce the bank statements to support the bank balance in the financial statements by September 30, 2016.
The Committee recommends the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders to set up a Privileges Committee to fully investigate the conduct of the MPs and former MPs who abused their privileges as Members of Parliament by threatening officials and posed as a hindrance to the audit process. The Committee should be appointed by 30th September, 2016.
