ZIMBABWEANS have called for tight monitoring mechanisms of the constituency development fund (CDF) after recent announcements that it would be re-introduced, two years after it was abandoned in 2012 amid allegations of abuse of funds by several MPs.
VENERANDA LANGA SENIOR PARLIAMENTARY REPORTER
Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa during presentation of the 2015 National Budget last week said $10,5 million would go towards CDF, which translated to $50 000 per constituency.
He, however, said the allocations to constituencies would be done once a CDF Bill had been brought before Parliament and passed.
“CDF remains an important instrument for promoting developmental projects,” Chinamasa said.
“Accordingly, the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs will be developing a Bill that will improve transparency and accountability in the management of the fund, paving way for Treasury on CDF.”
Analyst Blessing Vava said while allocation of CDF to constituencies was a good initiative, there was need for tight monitoring mechanisms to ensure the money was not diverted by MPs.
“We witnessed misuse of the funds during the government of national unity when some MPs deposited the money into personal bank accounts. Although a CDF law can help bring these people to account, committees should be set up at constituencies to run the projects. MPs should only play an oversight role to ensure accountability in the use of the resources,” Vava said.
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He said MPs needed basic training on how to manage projects as well as bookkeeping skills Spokesperson of the FreeZim Congress party James Katso said the re-introduction of CDF was a welcome move, but expressed worry over failure to prosecute MPs who allegedly misused the funds in 2011.
“We are worried that after misuse of the previous funds no conclusive and convincing report was availed to prove to Zimbabweans how the previous allocation was utilised. People are aware that there were a number of inconsistencies. With the current factionalism and crisis in Zanu PF, we are still scared that we may end up having more CDF funds abused because the party has a two-thirds majority in Parliament,” Katso said.
CDF was first introduced in Zimbabwe in 2010. After an audit was carried out, it revealed about 20 cases of extreme abuse of the fund.
Four MPs during the Seventh Parliament, Albert Mhlanga (MDC-T Pumula), Marvellous Khumalo (MDC-T St Marys), Franco Ndambakuwa (Zanu PF Magunje) and Cleopas Mahacha (MDC-T Kariba) were arrested, but prosecution was stopped by the Attorney-General’s Office.
