THE Clerk of Parliament, Mr Austin Zvoma has written to Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) informing the association that Parliament will not investigate the Minister of Local Governance, Urban and Rural Development, Dr Ignatius ChomboThe letter was a response to one BPRA sent to the Clerk of Parliament on 13 January 2011, requesting an investigation of Dr Chombos assets. The association was concerned that the minister may be abusing his office to amass wealth following media reports in November 2010 that the minister owns numerous properties all over the country including a fleet of top of the range vehicles, residential properties, commercial stands, residential stands and farming equipment.
In the letter, the Clerk of parliament says Parliament interest is aroused if there are allegations that a minister used public funds for acquiring public assets and there is empirical evidence to back the allegations. The inference is that there is no evidence to qualify an investigation of Dr Chombo. Part of the letter reads: In exercising this function (oversight function) parliament does not proceed (to investigate) on the basis of allegations either in the press or courts but on empirical evidence.
BPRA is concerned that this is a microcosm of the rampant lack of transparency and accountability in public offices in the country. The association is appalled by this state of affairs and will continue to lobby for an investigation of the minister as part of its mandate to promote a culture of transparency in public offices.