Some ministers deny abusing Constituency Development Fund

yesterday following revelations that 10 legislators had not submitted the CDF returns, they said reasons beyond their control were the cause of the late submissions.
Senator for Chizhanje constituency and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Mrs Sekai Holland said she had been away receiving medical treatment. She arrived in the country on Tuesday night.
Mrs Holland said she was still to start utilising the CDF as she was only called in to assist with the fund last year after the Ministry of Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs had threatened to repossess the money.
Mabvuku House of Assembly representative Mr Shepherd Madamombe died in 2010.
“I could not just accept the move but had to undergo consultations to see the legality of the move. We managed to open an account for the constituency fund in December 2010. Since I was not MP for the area, I had had to look for projects with the help of the councillors. The projects had to be beneficial to the entire constituency and that took time.
“Since this was a community fund, we had to ensure that there was consensus in the manner it was to be used. Being a Minister of National Healing, reconciliation and Integration, I thought the projects should also help promote unity and healing among people of Mabvuku.
“We have since agreed on the projects but are waiting for approval by council. What impressed me is that the projects that were chosen by councillors are to the benefit of all,” she said.
She said agreed projects include construction of a guardhouse, perimeter wall and gate, 10 000-litre water tank at the clinic and library in Ward 20.
Part of the money will be used to build a reading area outside the library.
The constituency has agreed to erect a guard house and gate security wall and shelter with ablution facilities for Mutoko Market in Ward 21. A 10 000-litre tank on a stand will be installed at the market.
Last year in September Senator Holland with the approval of councillors Enias Gengezha Ward 21, Munyaradzi Kufahakutizwi (Ward 19) and Casper Takura former councillor for Ward 20 wrote to council seeking approval.
“I then held a meeting with officials from the Ministry of Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs in November 2011 where I explained the problems with Mabvuku CDF.
“I was never informed that I should make the returns to the ministry. I only arrived in the country on Tuesday night from my annual treatment sessions in Australia,” she said.
According to documents shown to The Herald, the Mabvuku CDF account with Metropolitan Bank still had US$49 870 as of yesterday. The only withdrawals effected were bank charges over the entire period stretching to December 2010.
Councillor Kufahakutizwi acknowledged the problems following the death of MP Madamombe in 2010.
“Council workers were at Mabvuku library on Tuesday doing the necessary planning and measurements for work to commence. Our biggest problem is that residents have planted maize on the work area and have to wait until they harvest,” he said.
Public Service Minister Lucia Matibenga admitted that she was late in submitting the CDF returns.
“I delayed in submitting the returns. I only submitted the returns on February 13 and could have failed to beat the deadline.
“We drilled six boreholes and are finishing a clinic in Ward 44. We still have about US$5 000 balance in our account,” she said.
Guruve South legislator Cde Edward Chindori-Chininga said he had failed to submit the returns in time due to delays in project implementation and accounting procedures. “I have submitted the returns and I have also spelt out outstanding issues which include providing copies of RTGS from CBZ Bank and invoices from PowerSpeed for US$176 paid for generator cables and a switch for Nyandoro Clinic.
“Also outstanding is the signing of requisition for bank charges while authority was granted to leave a balance of US$525 in the bank to cater for the maintenance of the account and bank charges,” he said.
He said all CDF projects in his constituency were under implementation.
The Herald is also in posession of the letter from the Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry confirming receipt of the returns.
Runde-Zvishavane representative Cde Lawrence Mavima said he submitted all the returns to the responsible ministry.
“I have fully complied with the requirement of the Ministry of Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs. I am engaging the ministry to see if they can issue a retraction.
“In fact the majority of the people were late with the returns but for Minister Eric Matinenga to pick a few to shame is unfair. I believe this is political,” he said.