The Ministry of Finance has been rocked by fresh allegations of corruption with senior officials accused of demanding illicit payments of up to 10% on government contracts and disbursements.
The claims were raised in Parliament on Thursday by Energy Mutodi, chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Budget and Finance who said the practice was undermining government credibility and stalling vital projects.
Dr Mutodi told the House that reports from contractors suggested finance ministry officials were soliciting payments of “between five to ten percent” for every disbursement made by Treasury whether to ministries, departments or private contractors delivering government projects.
“This means that when contractors are awarded work, they must factor in at least a ten percent premium demanded as a form of corruption by officials at the Ministry of Finance,” he said.
He warned that such practices were driving contractors away from doing business with the government, damaging Zimbabwe’s creditworthiness.
“Contractors are no longer willing to deal with the Government on the basis that they will not be able to get their money if they refuse to pay,” he said.
Dr Mutodi singled out Finance Permanent Secretary George Guvamatanga accusing him of refusing to appear before Parliament to answer questions on the allegations.
“We have made several attempts to call George Guvamatanga to appear before this august House and he has deliberately refused with impunity. This cannot continue,” he said.
The outspoken lawmaker said Parliament was empowered by the Constitution to hold ministries and departments to account, adding that “our Government cannot be tarnished by the actions of corrupt and greedy people who occupy public office.”
He urged MPs to take decisive action saying President Emmerson Mnangagwa had repeatedly pledged to root out corruption and must be supported by Parliament’s oversight role.
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