adminIvan Zhakata-Herald Correspondent
Socio-economic lobby group, the Progressive and Patriotic Citizens of Zimbabwe (PAPCOZ) has commended Treasury for instructing all Government departments and procurement agencies to suspend payments to suppliers of goods and services who are overcharging the State.
Treasury recently raised alarm after noticing that Government departments have been making payments to suppliers based on invoices indexed parallel market rates.
PAPCOZ president Mr Patson Murimoga said the payments led to a rise in the inflation rate to 256 percent which authorities are now battling to reduce.
“Whilst we applaud the action taken by the Treasury, it is worrying that this malpractice was noticed after a long time which has led to where we are today, where there is a parallel market rate which is far ahead of both interbank and auction market rate,” he said.
“The malpractice has also put unnecessary pressure on the economy and unjustified increase in prices of basic commodities. We are deeply concerned that Government Ministries, departments and agencies have also been at the forefront of fueling the parallel market rate.
“We recommend the following that the Auditor General be directed to carry out forensic audits in the identified entities in order to get to the bottom of the matter and that the Zimbabwe Anti- Corruption Commission investigate and bring all perpetrators to book through proper legal channels.”
Mr Murimoga pleaded with the Financial Intelligence Unit to carry out an investigation on corporates that were acting in cahoots with the identified entities in order to either punish them or expel them from the foreign currency auction facility.
He also urged the Treasury to keep an eye on all Ministries, Government departments and agencies in order to arrest the scourge.
Meanwhile, PAPCOZ said Members of Parliament who were recalled from the August house and had not finished paying for cars they were given should have their vehicles repossessed by the State if they had not paid up.
“As citizens, we want all the MPs who were recalled to finish clearing the debt for the vehicles because it was a loan which is supposed to be paid in 5 years. Those who would not have paid will be brought to book or have their properties attached.
“We are the tax payers and we have a right to see how our money is being used so we are giving the recalled MPs 7 working days to clear debt. We are a non-political organisation that appreciates Government efforts in developing the nation,” Mr Murimoga said.
PAPCOZ is a civic organisation whose mission is to promote national pride, awareness and unity of purpose among Zimbabweans with a vision of a unified Zimbabwean citizenry that promotes national interest ahead of personal interest.
Online Reporter