Auditors fail to check usage of Constituency Development Fund after being threatened by MPs

“The officials pointed out that they could receive information on projects being implemented on paper and the moment they make an attempt to go and physically check the projects, they were threatened by Members of Parliament,” the committee said.

“They reported the alleged threats to the then Minister of Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs but to no avail. This kind of behaviour also puts the name of Parliament, as an oversight institution, in disrepute.”

Below is a list of constituencies and Members of Parliament whose bank statements were not availed for audit.

Nkayi North                        S. Nyoni;

Shamva South                   N. Goche;

Marondera West             Brig. A. Mutinhiri;

Zvimba South                    W. F. Chidhakwa;

Zvimba East                        P. Zhuwao;

Zvimba North                    I. Chombo;

Sanyati                                 Mrs F. Chaderopa;

Hurungwe North              P. Chanetsa; and

Harare South                     H. M. Nyanhongo.

Full Report

4.3    CONSTITUENCY DEVELOPMENT FUND (CDF) 2010

As mentioned earlier on, the accounts of the CDF received a disclaimer of opinion which implies that the auditor could not obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence to provide a basis for an opinion. Below were the issues raised on the CDF accounts.

4.3.1 Suspense Account

The Ministry did not produce bank certificates for 53  constituencies raising doubt on the accuracy of the bank balance of $7 964 543 disclosed in the financial statements. The bank statements produced for audit examination accounted for $4 921 491 leaving a balance of $3 043 052 unsupported resulting in a suspense account being created for the balance.

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