Sekeramayi's ministry fails to account for $35 million

Zimbabwe's struggling Treasury paid the Ministry of Defence's service providers more than $35 million but did not receive confirmation of payments from the recipients and consequently the amount cannot be accounted for, an audit report reveals.

This has resulted in Auditor-General Mildred Chiri questioning whether the payments were actually made against existing debts.

The development comes at a time it has emerged that the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) and Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ), for the third year running, flouted government regulations by refusing to submit their asset registers for the government audit.

The narrative report on appropriation accounts and miscellaneous funds for 2013 compiled by Chiri reveals that the Ministry of Defence did not obtain confirmation of payment from service providers, despite a request from Treasury.As a result, the U$35 million could not be accounted for.

"During the 2013 financial year, an amount of $35 164 363 was directly paid by Treasury to the service providers on behalf of the ministry," noted Chiri.

"Treasury advised the ministry to obtain confirmation of payments from each respective service provider."

However, there was no indication that this was done and no reconciliations were produced to show the actual invoices paid and actual amount owed to each service provider.