Chinotimba calls for an immediate audit of Zupco

MEMBERS of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Wednesday called on the government to probe State-owned public bus operator Zupco, saying they believed the transport company's operations were not transparent.

The committee, chaired by Mutasa South MP Irene Zindi, cited discrepancies in the manner Zupco was operating with Buhera South MP Joseph Chinotimba calling for an immediate audit of the company.

Chinotimba challenged government to explain why Zupco has had several chief executive officers (CEOs) within a short space of time with none of them being charged.

"There is no company that can go for years without an audit, but in Zupco, there has not been an audit since 2011," Chinotimba said.

"We also hear of different new CEOs and that there are scandals and corruption. What happens to those who are fired for corruption . . . why not arrest them?"

President of the Chief's Council Fortune Charumbira said it was improper for Zupco to claim that it was failing to recover from the effects of dollarisation saying that several companies had picked up the pieces and were doing very well now.

The local government team that made presentations yesterday painted a gloomy picture on service delivery particularly on housing, health, community development and transport.

"Given this budget improved service delivery by local authorities, improved standard of living, reduced rented and alternative accommodation for government as well as completion of stalled projects will not be adequately realised," the ministry's acting permanent secretary Joseph Mhakayakora said.

The Department of Housing and Social Amenities said it had requested $13 604 000 to carter for stalled projects and housing matters, but only received $8 420 000. The committee heard that the ministry had been allocated $88 million out of its requirement of $306 million.