Every constituency was allocated $50,000 for developmental projects, but the councillors say there is little evidence that the money was used properly by the MPs.
The councillors, most of them from Zanu (PF) and headmen from Shurugwi South and Zvishavane constituencies urged the government to carry out an audit of the CDF in order to expose abuse in the province.
Most headmen said the administration of the funds was shrouded in secrecy. Two Zanu (PF) MPs, Obert Matshalanga (Zvishavane) and Anastancia Ndhlovu (Shurugwi South) are at the centre of the storm.
The Dambudzo headman in Zvishavane, Jonah Mnangagwa, brother to Defense Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa, and Ward 21 Councillor for Shurugwi South, Dennis Chiborise, had no kind words for their MPs.
They accused the two of sidelining them in implementing projects in their respective constituencies.
“I wonder why a councillor can be excluded from development projects, especially when it is a government initiative,” said Mnangagwa, who is also from Zanu (PF). “An audit of the CDF will expose a lot of our MPs.”
Chiborise said he was not aware of any meaningful projects that had been carried out in Shurugwi South.
“I am not aware of any serious project that the MP has initiated. To the best of my knowledge, nothing was done with the CDF money,” said Chiborise.
Ashifodraai Village Development Committee Chairperson, Nkosana Dube, accused Ndlovu of taking the CDF money. Ndlovu, however, refused to talk to The Zimbabwean.
Several MPs have already been fingered in the abuse of the CDF. Earlier this year, three MDC-T legislators, Marvelous Khumalo, Albert Mhlanga and Cleopas Machacha were investigated for abusing the fund, in addition to a Zanu (PF) member, Franco Ndambakuwa (Magunje).
Post published in: News