Harare, (New Ziana) -The National Assembly on Thursday resolved to invite Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube to appear before it to explain issues of concern including allegations of corruption being levelled against some senior officials in his Ministry.
Acting Speaker of the National Assembly Naledi Maunganidze made the ruling after Dzivaraseka and Bikita South legislator Edwin Mushoriwa and Energy Mutodi respectively had raised points of privilege and national interest on issues concerning the Ministry.
Mushoriwa had complained that when Prof Ncube presented the Mid-Term Fiscal Review statement in the august House, legislators debated it because he had assured them that he would not be presenting a Supplementary Budget.
He said legislators were surprised two weeks ago when the Ministry permanent secretary issued a statement which contradicted what Prof Ncube had said and “literally altered the Appropriation Act.”
Mutodi on the other hand said as chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, he had received “agonising” reports that some high ranking officials at the Ministry of Finance were demanding kickbacks of between five to ten percent payment for every payment made by Treasury to contractors, Ministries and government departments.
“What this is doing is that, when contractors contract work given by the Government, they have to take into effect at least a ten percent premium demanded as a form of corruption by officials at the Ministry of Finance. This is compromising the creditworthiness and integrity of Government,” he said.
He said the alleged corruption has resulted in contractors inflating bids to cover unofficial “premiums” or refusing to take up government projects altogether, hindering service delivery, frustrating public procurement processes and undermining confidence in state institutions.
Mugtodi decried the repeated failure of Guvamatanga to appear before the relevant committee despite several invitations.
“We have made several attempts to call Mr Guvamatanga to appear before this august House, and he has deliberately refused with impunity. This cannot continue,” he said.
He said President Mnangagwa was on record saying he is going to deal with corruption and as such Parliament should support him through its oversight role on Ministries and government departments.
New Ziana
