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Paul Nyathi|The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) recently warned that it will take drastic action against officers who misuse COVID-19 funds.

Before the ink could even dry since the statement was made several senior government officials including a ZACC one have been found looting the funds paying themselves unwarranted allowances.

In a statement, Zacc chairperson Loice Matanda-Moyo warned against fraudulent activities on the funds saying those found on the wrong side of the law would be dealt with accordingly.

“The Commission would like to warn individuals against embarking on any corrupt and fraudulent activities. Those found on the wrong side of the law will be dealt with accordingly”.

Indeed these should not empty threats by the Zacc chairperson.

She issued the statement against the background of highly publicised incidences, in the past, where donated items towards the cyclone Idai emergency were looted by greedy and corrupt elements.

“The commission is aware that the Ministry of Health and Child Care has received donations of money, medical equipment and medication donated by individuals, business community, non-governmental organisations, international organisations and donor community on behalf of the government of Zimbabwe. In the past, there have been incidences of failure by the relevant authorities to account for donations of similar calamities,” she said.

“The commission, therefore, implores responsible individuals in the Ministry of Health, from the accounting officers, those in charge of hospitals, clinics and pharmacies to put in place systems that ensure transparency, accountability and fair distribution of all the said donations.”

A leaked letter from the Ministry of Finance has revealed that senior government officials have already been diverting funds meant for the coronavirus (Covid-19) interventions into their own pockets as Allowances.

On the list is ZACC Acting Secretary Charity Matumbu who has also been ordered to pay back the funds.

The letter from the treasury is dated 28 April 2020 and was signed by George Guvamatanga, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development.

Guvamatanga who is clearly not pleased with the development ordered all the ministries to stop the processing of the allowances and to reverse all transactions which had been done. He further ordered that the money should be redirected towards Covid-19 interventions.

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Part of the letter reads,

RE: CONCERNS OVER THE INCREASE IN UNAUTHORISED PAYMENT OF COVID-19 DOMESTIC ALLOWANCES BY LINE MINISTRIES

The above subject refers.

Treasury has noted with concern an increase in payment runs requesting for funding for processing of domestic allowances narrated as COVID-19 payments for stuff on duty during the lockdown period.

As you are aware, the pronouncement of the lockdown through Statutory Instrument 81 and 82 clearly called for mitigatory measures to prevent the spread of the Corona Virus and involved limited or no movement across cities and towns, and hence reduces domestic travel expenses.

Whilst Treasury appreciates the need to incentivize staff who are reporting for duty and risking their health to infection by the Corona Virus, payment of such an allowance should be guided by the Committee on the Harmonisation of Conditions of Service and approved by Treasury.

However, line Ministries are now prioritizing payment of allowances despite the call by Treasury in its letter dated 20 March 2020, requesting Accounting Officers to identify non-wage savings (operations and capital) from their respective Votes to be ring-fenced towards COVID-19 pandemic interventions.

In this regard, Treasury is directing all line Ministries to stop processing of domestic allowances and to reverse all transactions processed in the PFM system and redirect such resources towards COVID-19 interventions.

Your urgent attention to this matter will be greatly appreciated.

G T Guvamatanga

SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY

Cc Hon. Prof. M. Ncube, Minister of Finance and Economic Development Dr. M.J.M. Sibanda, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet

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