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Govt urged to act on public funds abusers

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Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) has expressed concern at the failure by the government to act on the rampant abuse of public funds at State-run enterprises and government departments.

Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) has expressed concern at the failure by the government to act on the rampant abuse of public funds at State-run enterprises and government departments.

BY STAFF REPORTER

It said recent revelations by the Auditor-General show, “for the umpteenth time”, gross mismanagement of public resources. “As we have previously stated, continued disregard of public accountability is harming prospects for national development. Further, the failure by the Zimbabwean government to insist on principles of good governance has resulted in the prevalence of corruption, with devastating impact on the lives of millions of Zimbabweans,” CiZC said.

“We take issue with this brazen defiance of calls for transparency and accountability in how the country is run. That those tasked with ensuring adherence to principles of good governance are not bothered by the Auditor-General’s recent report is not only worrisome but in fact, a serious indictment on a government that is unable to fulfil its obligations.”

CiZC implored government to show leadership and make public, deliberations and recommendations made by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Public Accounts while implementing recommendations as stated by the Auditor General’s Office.

“Further, we demand that Parliament play an active role in ensuring that transparency and accountability become the cornerstones of public sector management in Zimbabwe,” the civic group said. “We recommend that the government of Zimbabwe also begin to look into innovative tools and platforms such as the Open Government Partnership (OGP) for more inclusive, responsive and accountable governance.”

Meanwhile, CiZC said there was need for a critical policy rethink on Zimbabwe’s indigenisation and empowerment laws following recent revelations that Zimbabwe’s much touted indigenisation deals within the mining sector were a façade.

In a recent research paper, CiZC said empowerment schemes were hurriedly done and not well thought out and as a result, have been “shrouded in mystery and murkier deals thus bringing very limited, if any, significant benefit to the national economy or ordinary citizens.”

“It is our argument as the CiZC that the indigenisation programme in its current form is not transformative, inclusive and developmental but hinged on creating a parasitic business class that will always be on life support through continued patronage networks feeding on State contracts,” said the research “Therefore, there is need for a policy rethink regarding the indigenisation programme if Zimbabwe is to fundamentally transform the relics of the colonial economic architecture,” read part of the research.

According to the report, investigations by CSOs revealed that the “opaque” indigenisation process in Zimbabwe had resulted in massive plunder of national resources by political bigwigs, a development they said if allowed to continue, would lead to a failed State. Another area of concern for the organisation is that indigenisation had been abused by the ruling Zanu PF party to push “electioneering objectives” while the Look East Policy has resulted in Chinese businesses enjoying political protection.