The rot in Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Transport

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MOTION

THIRD REPORT OF THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE ON THE 2014 AND 2015 APPROPRIATION AND FUNDS ACCOUNTS FOR THE MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT

HON. MPARIWA:  I move the motion standing in my name that this House adopts the Third report of the Public Accounts Committee on the 2014 and 2015 Appropriation and Funds Account for the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development.

HON. CROSS:  I second.

HON. MPARIWA: Thank you Madam Speaker.

1.0           INTRODUCTION

The Public Accounts Committee examined the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development on the findings of the Auditor General on the Appropriation accounts for years ended December 31, 2014 and 2015 and the accounts of the four Funds administered by the Ministry, namely the Department of Roads Fund, 2013and 2014; New Limpopo Bridge Fund, 2014; New Vehicle Number Plate Revolving Fund, 2013 and 2014 and the Traffic and Legislation Fund, 2012- 2014.

The Ministry is lagging behind in terms of reporting on Funds. This is a violation of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) [Chapter 22:19]. Section 35 (4) of the PFMA requires the Ministry to prepare and submit financial statements for Funds within three months after the end of a financial year, which is a month after the deadline for submission of appropriation accounts. The Auditor General is expected to report on Funds by the same time she reports on Appropriation accounts which is June 30 of each year. It is of great concern that the Ministry reported on Funds well out of time and this has been the general trend for most Funds. This points to a culture of non-accountability and a general lack of specific sanctions for failure to meet statutory deadlines on the submission of financial statements for audit. The Committee is also concerned that the then Accounting Officer for the Ministry, Mr Munodawafa did not take audit seriously as audit recommendations made in the 2014 Annual Audit Report were not implemented, hence are subject of discussion in this Report.

2.0    OBJECTIVES OF THE ENQUIRY

Section 299 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment No. 20 of 2013, states as follows:

(1)            Parliament must monitor and oversee expenditure by the State and all Commissions and institutions and agencies of Government at every level, including statutory bodies, Government controlled entities, provincial and metropolitan councils and local authorities, in order to ensure that-

(a)             all revenue is accounted for;

(b)            all expenditure has been properly incurred; and

(c)             Any limits and conditions on appropriations have been observed.

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