Call for youth funds audit

Ngoni Dapira
ZANU-PF Manicaland Youth League executive has called for an audit of the $1 million Youth Fund disbursements to the province which is being administered by Central Africa Building Society.This was said on Monday during a Press conference organised by the provincial Youth League executive in Mutare.

The call follows remarks made by the Minister of Youth Development, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment, Cde Francis Nhema, in March at the inaugural Manicaland Youth Expo that countrywide, Manicaland used up the largest chunk of the Youth Fund disbursements.

Cde Nhema said each province received the $1 million disbursement, but Manicaland topped the list of funds disbursed, having gobbled $857 733.

Cde Nhema said this in response to queries from Manicaland youths during the question and answer segment, who complained that they were being sidelined from the Youth Fund and were failing to access it.

Zanu-PF Manicaland Youth League vice-chairman Cde Mubuso Chinguno challenged the assertions by Cde Nhema and said they were suspecting that something was incorrect.

“On paper that is what might be there, but we want to see a printout of the names and carry out an audit ourselves.
“We have heard a lot from our sources, which revealed there was a scam by CABS officials and some of the provincial Youth Fund co-ordinators.

“There were people from Harare that were benefitting at our expense and we are of the view that most of the money did not benefit the real youths of Manicaland, so we want an audit. We want to go name by name,” said Cde Chinguno.

Zanu-PF Manicaland Youth League secretary for Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Cde Washington Zihwihwi said CABS should make a follow-up on defaulters rather than freeze the balance left from $1 million and disadvantage other youths.

“There is a balance of almost $250 000, which can be used to assist a lot of youths in income-generating projects. CABS should do a follow-up on defaulters rather than disadvantage other youths.

“Money cannot just lie idle in the bank when we youths want empowerment out there. Rotten apples should be dealt with separately,” said Cde Zihwihwi.

Zanu-PF Manicaland Youth League acting secretary for administration Cde Kudzai Madhara said freezing the programme at the expense of a few rotten apples was uncalled for.

“Our economic situation is grim at the moment and we expect our leaders to come assist us youths with jobs and loans for projects since we do not have collateral, not to come and divide us or entice us with beer and money.

“All we are saying is that youths need funding for self-sustaining projects and we are looking up to our leaders for empowerment.

“Please come up with developmental programmes for youths as promised during the elections. If a few bad apples failed to return the allocated funds, they should be dealt with separately and not at the expense of others. The Youth League is the vanguard of the revolutionary party and we are always ready to tackle head-on the divisive elements within the party which retard national development,” said Cde Madhara.

Zanu-PF Manicaland Youth League secretary for economic affairs Cde Gertrude Mutandi said if banks were still considering some non-performing loans there was no need to freeze the Youth Fund.

“If there was $1 million allocated to Manicaland and there is still a balance, let it be exhausted to youths while at the same time working out the issue of defaulters independently.

“If there is still a balance of about $250 000 for Manicaland, then that is a lot of money that can empower the select few youths,” said Cde Mutandi.

In March during Manicaland Youth Expo Cde Nhema blasted youths who were not paying back the loans and threatened not to renew the disbursement.

His statements came after revelations in February to the Parliamentary Committee on Youth, Indigenisation and Empowerment by bank executives that over 70 percent of the loans that had been taken from the Youth Fund remained unpaid.

Cde Nhema, however, said youths were not making use of the fund and revealed that Masvingo Province was the most inactive province as they had used only $235 201 from $1 million.

“The problem with youths is that you react to ‘mob psychology’. You hear something and you become emotional before ascertaining the truth. Youths in Masvingo you are crying for loans, but you used just $235 201,” said Cde Nhema.