MDC leader Welshman Ncube has accused government officials in charge of the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) of corruption and nepotism.
Addressing party supporters at a Christmas party at Vulindlela Orphanage in Mpopoma, Ncube, who is also Industry and Commerce minister, said Cabinet would in February review the scheme to ensure only deserving candidates benefited.
“There is a lot of corruption because the money is meant to assist orphans and vulnerable children, but most of it ends up in officials’ pockets, thus making money for BEAM unavailable to those who deserve it,” he said.
Ncube said it was government’s responsibility to give equal opportunities to everyone.
“We will be coming back in January so that we can find means of helping each other whether there is BEAM or not,” he said.
“As government, when we go back to Cabinet beginning of February, we will make sure that BEAM continues to help children who deserve it rather than those who end up being given assistance because they are related to the officials who disburse the scheme.”
Speaking at the same occasion, MDC secretary-general Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga said problems facing BEAM were rooted in the implementation mechanisms. She said government must insist that orphans and vulnerable children were prioritised under the scheme.
“Cabinet has said no child should stop going to school because of discontinuation of the BEAM scheme. Everyone deserves to go to school and because these children are orphans they need support and thus they are the most deserving,” she said.
