MPs demand answers on revenue flows

MOSES MATENGA

Legislators have demanded an explanation from Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube on how much the government was getting mainly from mining deals and how the money was being used to finance the budgets.

There has been growing concern on how much the government was getting from mining deals that the country has entered into and how the country was benefitting amid fears the money was lining pockets of connected individuals.

Zimbabwe has opened up the mining sector and has seen foreign companies including Chinese firms coming in to invest in the sector.

Harare North Member of Parliament Rusty Markham said there was a need for the government to explain on the matter.

“We need a more detailed revenue flow for one reason, that is, we are constantly being told for example by the Ministry that there is delay in release of funds to them. “We have been constantly told of the amount we can earn from mining concessions and joint ventures, etcetera.  Can we have a detailed statement from the Ministry of Finance to explain to us how much money we are actually getting from all these national resources that are being taken?” Markham said.

Speaker of Parliament Advocate Jacob Mudenda said the MPs should wait for the forthcoming debate on budget to interrogate this and other key issues.

“The Budget debate is coming in full swing and interrogate the proposed budget that will be tabled on the 24th November and have your assegais ready to attack,” Mudenda said.

Markham responded saying: “I was hoping the Minister would give a budget statement on revenue so we actually know what we are talking about because quite frankly on revenue flows and money coming in, we know nothing.”