Zim government accounting procedures in shambles

The Zimbabwe government's accounting procedures are so weak to an extent that information submitted for auditing by most departments cannot be relied upon, auditor general Mildred Chiri has said.

In her 2012 audit report represented to parliament last month, Chiri said she had observed improper maintenance of accounting records, diversion of resources from funds to parent ministries, reconciliations of the sub-paymaster general accounts.

Ministries were not consistently preparing monthly reconciliation statements of the sub paymaster general accounts as evidenced by 17 (45%) of the ministries that failed to produce the main reconciliation statements at year end.

Chiri said the accuracy of the expenditure figure disclosed in the Appropriation Accounts of such ministries could not be relied upon.