D-day for Guvamatanga

SITHENI NLEYA

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chaired by Kuwadzana Member of Parliament, Chalton Hwende has issued a stern warning to Finance and Economic Development Permanent Secretary, George Guvamatanga, cautioning him against failing to appear before the committee tomorrow.

Guvamatanga is expected to respond  to allegations surrounding  the unauthorised  disbursement of over  US$400m in direct payments to companies-transactions that reportedly bypassed line ministries as highlighted by the Auditor General.

A visibly irate Hwende said Guvamatanga’s no-show is now worrying, adding that the committee will issue summons.

Guvamatanga has not attended the committee hearings on two occasions citing different reasons and has been given a chance to attend tomorrow or face summons.

“This will be the third chance, the last time they communicated that the Permanent Secretary had been called by the President but communication should be in writing,” Hwende said.

“Last time they communicated and the committee excused them. The other time the Permanent Secretary communicated with me but this time there was no communication. We have given him and his team a final chance to appear on Friday.”

“We are preparing summons through the office of the Clerk of Parliament, and if they don’t come, summons will be issued immediately on Friday,” Hwende said.

The suppliers and service providers paid include Makomo Engineering, Ziminya Dam Construction, and Fertilizer Seed Grain among many others.

Finance and Economic Development Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube, has also been called to appear before the committee to speak on policy issues surrounding public accounts. the 2023 financial year.