News / National
Abuse of devolution funds raises concerns in Rural District Councils
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Several rural district councils in Zimbabwe may be misappropriating Devolution Fund allocations, with reports emerging that some projects funded through donor programs are being falsely attributed to devolution funds.
This issue came to light recently when officials at Zvimba Rural District Council presented a community hall as a devolution project to Presidential Affairs and Devolution Secretary Tafadzwa Muguti during a familiarisation tour. The Chenzou Community Hall, handed over by the Chinese ambassador to Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Marian Chombo last June, was showcased as a devolution project.
However, Zvimba chief executive Enias Chidhakwa dismissed claims by the Chinese that they contributed to the hall's construction, labeling it "misinformation." Chidhakwa confirmed that while the community provided labor and bricks, they were compensated by the Chinese, but did not directly build the hall using devolution funds.
"During the commissioning of their water project at the site, the Chinese claimed that they also built the community hall but that's not true. Putting labels ‘China Aid' on the hall buildings as you can see is misinformation," he said.
Villager Michael Chiriseri corroborated, stating that the community provided labor and bricks which were paid for by the Chinese.
Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Marian Chombo raised concerns about the discrepancies observed.
"My concern is that you are painting a rosy picture here but it's not what is reflecting on the ground. Even the President (Emmerson Mnangagwa) is worried about the drop in service delivery nationwide," Chombo said.
Pressed further on the construction costs, Chidhakwa was evasive, promising to provide the figure but failing to do so by the time of going to print.
Meanwhile, Muguti emphasized the need for accountability in the use of devolution funds, ensuring that they are allocated to genuine developmental projects.
"We are very happy that Zvimba Rural District Council is proving to be very accountable, so continue doing the good work that you are doing. I have been to some provinces but I can safely say you are one of the best in terms of tangible work that you are doing," Muguti said.
The government launched the Zimbabwe Inter-Governmental Fiscal Transfers System Administrative Manual last year, aimed at guiding local authorities in managing and processing devolution funds transparently. This initiative supports the constitutional provision that mandates a minimum of 5% of national revenue be allocated to provinces and local authorities for development purposes.
The devolution and decentralisation agenda remains a key area of focus in the National Development Strategy 1. However, concerns have been raised in the past regarding councils diverting devolution funds to non-developmental activities such as salary payments. Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona highlighted instances where local authorities utilized these funds for other purposes, rather than for intended infrastructure development.
This issue came to light recently when officials at Zvimba Rural District Council presented a community hall as a devolution project to Presidential Affairs and Devolution Secretary Tafadzwa Muguti during a familiarisation tour. The Chenzou Community Hall, handed over by the Chinese ambassador to Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Marian Chombo last June, was showcased as a devolution project.
However, Zvimba chief executive Enias Chidhakwa dismissed claims by the Chinese that they contributed to the hall's construction, labeling it "misinformation." Chidhakwa confirmed that while the community provided labor and bricks, they were compensated by the Chinese, but did not directly build the hall using devolution funds.
"During the commissioning of their water project at the site, the Chinese claimed that they also built the community hall but that's not true. Putting labels ‘China Aid' on the hall buildings as you can see is misinformation," he said.
Villager Michael Chiriseri corroborated, stating that the community provided labor and bricks which were paid for by the Chinese.
Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Marian Chombo raised concerns about the discrepancies observed.
Pressed further on the construction costs, Chidhakwa was evasive, promising to provide the figure but failing to do so by the time of going to print.
Meanwhile, Muguti emphasized the need for accountability in the use of devolution funds, ensuring that they are allocated to genuine developmental projects.
"We are very happy that Zvimba Rural District Council is proving to be very accountable, so continue doing the good work that you are doing. I have been to some provinces but I can safely say you are one of the best in terms of tangible work that you are doing," Muguti said.
The government launched the Zimbabwe Inter-Governmental Fiscal Transfers System Administrative Manual last year, aimed at guiding local authorities in managing and processing devolution funds transparently. This initiative supports the constitutional provision that mandates a minimum of 5% of national revenue be allocated to provinces and local authorities for development purposes.
The devolution and decentralisation agenda remains a key area of focus in the National Development Strategy 1. However, concerns have been raised in the past regarding councils diverting devolution funds to non-developmental activities such as salary payments. Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona highlighted instances where local authorities utilized these funds for other purposes, rather than for intended infrastructure development.
Source - newsday
