adminLovemore Zigara Midlands Correspondent
ZVISHAVANE Community Share Ownership Trust (ZCSOT) is enlisting the services of an auditing firm to look into the operations of the scheme that was launched by President Mugabe in 2011.
The trust has already invited tenders for auditing firms to audit its books.
ZCSOT board chairperson, Chief Whedza, said the auditing firm which would have won the tender is expected to begin work at the end of the month.
“We are in the process of looking for an auditing firm to look into the trust’s books since its inception in 2011. The auditing should begin at the end of August when the successful bidder is unveiled.
“After the first audit, we want our books to be audited on a yearly basis to ensure that everything is done above board for transparency purposes,” he said.
Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (Zela) projects officer, Mukasiri Sibanda welcomed the development but said the trust should involve the community more on its programmes.
“This is a welcome development by the trust because there have been transparency issues surrounding the operation of the community share ownership trusts.
“However, the trusts should move a step further by involving the community in its operations.
“There should be community involvement in prioritising projects. Trusts should ensure that there are constant progress reports to the community, a situation which will build trust between the trustees and the people,” he said.
Sibanda said the community will always have perceptions that money is being misused even if the auditors give the ZCSOT a good report, hence the need to involve ordinary people in the formulation of developmental projects.
Zela advocates for public participation in environmental governance in Zimbabwe with particular focus on the mining sector.
The trust has in the past been rocked by allegations of abuse of funds where board members were accused of awarding themselves hefty sitting allowances at the expense of developmental projects.
derick.khumalo