Zim corruption now worse: Parly

SITHENI NLEYA

Parliament says corruption in Zimbabwe is getting worse and there is no political will to deal with graft as evidenced by the recommendations of the Auditor General being ignored by key institutions that are meant to bring sanity in different sectors, the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has said.

The Auditor General has consistently exposed rampant corruption, mismanagement of public funds and failure to account for resources allocated but nothing has been done to stop the rot.

Corruption has been rife in the public sector including parastatals, ministries, local authorities and hospitals with Zimbabwe losing millions of dollars through leakages.

PAC chairperson Chalton Hwende said tender scammers have tripled in the last few years and the acts of corruption have now gotten out of hand.

“If you compare the 2023 (Auditor General) report to 2022, things have gone worse,” Hwende said. “In 2023, we will have more companies stealing from the government, getting money and failing to deliver on the goods that they would have tendered for. The number has almost tripled.”

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“It is clear no action was taken on the recommendations of the Auditor General’s report in 2022. Many people now see it as a lucrative venture to contract government, get money and disappear,” the Kuwadzana Member of Parliament said.

The Auditor General’s report bemoaned lack of action to address matters raised in previous reports that include companies that tender for vehicles but fail to deliver.

Several entities and ministries have fallen victim to such but no action has been taken to ensure vehicles are delivered or the money is returned to the Treasury.

Among other firms duped by the suspicious entities include the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), Zimbabwe National Roads Authority (ZINARA), ministry of Information among many others.

Observers said there is no political will to fight corruption adding that Zimbabweans must take a stand to bring to a halt such actions.

The latest reports show gross mismanagement in key institutions like Air Zimbabwe, ZIMRA, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority among others.

“The ZTA board was paid grocery allowances during the year amounting to ZWL$864 500 and holiday benefits amounting to a total of ZWL$2.1 million. I was not availed with evidence of approvals from the Parent Ministry pertaining to these allowances. This was contrary to section 14 (3) of the Public Entities and Corporate Governance Act [Chapter 10:31] which prohibits board members from receiving any remuneration, allowance or benefit in excess of the amount specified in the notice from the Ministry. In addition, the Authority did not withhold 20% withholding tax as required by the thirty-third schedule of the Income Tax Act [Chapter 23:06],” the latest audit report reads in part.

But Hwende said his committee will deal with all issues to the fullest.

“l can assure Zimbabweans that every cent that has been looted, that has been exposed by the Auditor General’s report we are going to be on top of the situation,” he said.

“We will not look at companies but also at government officials that issue such tenders that end up costing the government a lot of money.”