Own Correspondent |Treasurer General of the opposition MDC says that he has hired independent auditors to conduct a standard routine audit on the party’s finances.

Coltart confirmed that a team of independent auditors would start work this week amid unconfirmed reports that some money may have been abused in the party.

Coltart dismissed the theft rumour indicating that the ongoing audit has not necessarily been influenced by the rumour of financial irregularities. Coltart said he personally was not aware of any financial irregularities which if any would be exposed by the audit.

“We are starting an audit today because the party, at my request, has agreed to have an audit. We will have a standard audit and until maybe the audit reveals the irregularities, I am not aware of such,” Coltart said.

“Whether it is $190 000 or $1,9 million, I am not aware of any irregularities. I am not saying they are not there. I am not an auditor and that is why we have an audit. An independent firm will be doing the audit of the MDC books since 2019 and it is the first for the MDC and for any political party. It is the first time a political party has subjected itself to an audit.”

Last year, the MDC received more than $4 million under the Political Parties Finance Act.

Government released more than $12 million to both the MDC and Zanu PF to share according to the numbers garnered in the 2018 harmonised elections.