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(NEWZIMBABWE) Constituency Fund abusers named

Constituency Fund abusers named
15/02/2012 00:00:00
by Staff Reporter

CONSTITUTIONAL and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Eric Matinenga on Wednesday released names of nine legislators, including three ministers, who have each failed to account for US$50,000 paid from a parliamentary fund for constituency development.
Matinenga’s ministry was asked to investigate abuse of the US$8 million fund following public concerns.

Last month, Matinenga presented his findings to President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, but insisted he would not name the lawmakers who had failed to file accounts of how the money was spent.

But at a news conference on Wednesday, Matinenga raised the stakes by threatening to call in the police on the defaulting MPs and Senators.

“I want to say that the majority of Members of Parliament have made returns, maybe more than 95 percent have done so. Unfortunately, we still have 10 MPs who have not made returns,” Matinenga said, although he went on to release only nine names.

The lawmakers who have failed to file accounts, said Matinenga, include Public Services Minister Lucia Matibenga (MDC-T, Kuwadzana North), National Healing Minister Senator Sekai Holland (MDC-T, Mabvuku-Tafara), Deputy Health Minister Douglas Mhombeshora (Zanu PF, Mhangura), Marvellous Khumalo (MDC-T, St Mary’s), Peter Chanetsa (Zanu PF, Hurungwe North), Chindori Chininga (Zanu PF, Guruve South), Naison Nemadziva (Zanu PF, Buhera South) and Abraham Sithole (Zanu PF, Chiredzi East).

The Constitutional Development Fund (CDF) was established by Finance Minister Tendai Biti, with all 210 MPs in the House of Assembly accessing US$50,000 for distribution to deserving projects in their constituences.

Virginia Mabhiza, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs, said the manner in which some lawmakers had used the fund “bordered on fraud”.

Labels: CONSTITUENCY DEVELOPMENT FUND, ERIC MATINENGA, MDC CORRUPTION

posted by MrK @ 4:39 PM