By A Correspondent- Independent legislator for Norton Temba Mliswa has called on government to account for donated COVID-19 funds.
Mliswa’s statement comes amid revelations by the government of Zimbabwe that it has not yet disbursed relief funds that were set aside for vulnerable groups in the country.
“Vulnerable” individuals were supposed to get ZW$200 each as a cushion allowance against effects of the national lockdown imposed to stop the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Paul Mavima, however, indicated that the government was yet to disburse the funds.
During a Zoom Video meeting organised by the Debt and Development (ZIMCODD) which ran under the theme Impact of COVID-19: Future of work and Public Finance Management issues,
Mavima said:
You have not seen any beneficiaries because no disbursement has been done as of now. I have told you that my expectation was that we were going to start disbursements before the end of April but there is supposed to be a wider intervention which is going to be announced by the President.”
Addressing the media last at a post cabinet briefing, Finance minister Mthuli Ncube said government was using a special algorithm to identify beneficiaries of the fund.
However, he did not reveal how the fund will also be accessed and ensure inclusivity of those who do not have bank accounts or mobile phones.