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CDF defaulters: Stern measures needed
Youth Forum
November 08, 2011

The recent media reports suggesting that several members of the House of Assembly are facing prosecution after diverting parts of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to personal use have been welcomed by the general populace and electorate to whom these Members of Parliament are accountable.

The Youth Forum Research and Advocacy Department carried out a mini survey around the country in September 2011 and exposed that most legislators had seriously abused the fund with most youths not aware of the existence of the fund. The survey also revealed that in deciding the nature of projects, there was no or minimal involvement of the electorate, the supposed beneficiaries of the fund. The CDF Committees, comprising of the legislator, two councilors and District Administrators, embarked on projects without consulting the residents of the constituencies resulting in projects being implemented that were of little or no benefit to the electorate.

With only 173 constituencies out of a total of 210 filling returns, youths from various constituencies are waiting to see what measures will be taken against those that will be found guilty of abusing the public funds. "Whilst we understand that the defaulters will become ineligible for next year's disbursements, we would also want to see them serving sentences behind bars for swindling citizens" said Thomas Gorerazvo from Budiriro.

"It would be unfair for the whole constituency to lose funding because of one individual; only the legislators should be punished while the fund continues to benefit the people of every constituency" were Marita Chombo's words of wisdom.

Accounting and auditing experts also suggested that the auditors need to also see the projects on the ground and not completely rely on returns in the form of receipts submitted by the House of Assembly members. "Receipts are very easy to fabricate whilst there is nothing on the ground to show for them, this makes it important that the auditing process also involves physically ascertaining that the alleged developments are indeed true" said Batsirai Tembo, an auditor with one of Zimbabwe's prominent auditing firms.

It is also important that when such funds are disbursed in future, the members of Parliament are apprised as to the proper accounting and procedures before they are given the money. This will aid in avoiding the current scenario where they claim they are not conversant with the proper accounting procedures as well as the type of activities they are supposed to use the fund for.

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