Source: ‘Deal decisively with corruption’ | The Herald
Zvamaida Murwira Senior Reporter—
Government should decisively deal with the scourge of corruption, particularly by people of influence in society for the country to increase its revenue base, legislators have said.
The lawmakers, who were in a rare unity in condemning corruption, called for a meeting with President Mugabe.
They said they wanted to give the Head of State and Government an honest overview of the economy.
The legislators accused some Cabinet ministers of lying to the President.
They claimed that some companies and individuals were underdeclaring imports and were being protected by some ministers depriving the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority of revenue.
This was said during debate on the 2017 National Budget presented by Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa last year.
Zaka Central MP Cde Paradzai Chakona (Zanu-PF) said most companies that got the bulk of Government tenders were locals but were getting away with misrepresentation of revenue and pay less Value Added Tax.
“When Zimbabwe Revenue Authority follows up the individuals would be shielded by Government ministers or senior Government officials,” said Cde Chakona.
Tafara-Mabvuku MP Mr James Maridadi (MDC-T) said his investigations had shown that a Chinese blankets selling firm was prejudicing the fiscus over $25 million by falsely declaring that they were importing fabrics when it was importing sub-standard blankets for resale.
The blankets, he said, fetched lower prices than locally made ones.
This pushed local firms out of business.
Mr Maridadi brought two samples of blankets with receipts which he said he bought, one from that Chinese firm and another from a local firm.
“The firm is owned by a Chinese lady and when I went to see her I saw one Cabinet Minister in her office.
“I told her that the Cabinet Minister was helping her to evade tax but I warned her to be careful,” said Mr Maridadi, amid applause from the floor.
Mr Maridadi accused some Cabinet Ministers of not telling President Mugabe the truth.
He said there was need for backbenchers to request an audience with President Mugabe.
At one stage, Buhera South MP Cde Joseph Chinotimba (Zanu-PF) requested Speaker of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda to extend Mr Maridadi’s time slot after it had expired.
Cde Chinotimba latter tore into Cabinet Ministers leading negotiations with civil servants saying their proposal for residential stands to Government employees in lieu of bonus payments was preposterous.
“Civil servants are earning between $300 and $500 but the Government Ministers are offering residential stands, where do the stands come from for the entire civil servants? It is only fair to say there is no money,” said Cde Chinotimba.
He agreed with the call for dialogue with President Mugabe but said it was necessary for Cabinet Ministers to be present at the meeting.
Earlier on Proportionate Representative MP Mrs Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga (MDC) gave Minister Chinamasa flowers for his sterling work to try and steer the economy.
COMMENTS
the fish rots from the head… When the country has sunk so low as to be quoting chinotimba etc with regard to corruption it’s obvious there is zero hope for the future.
A good place to start the fight against corruption is by shutting down The Herald
Even Chinotimba can see that when the zanu pf government tells civil servants to accept stands in lieu of their outstanding cash they are just being sold hot air. So, one then wonders, what kind of educated people do we have in Zim, when you read articles by some individuals, who from the well polished queen’s language they present could easily pass as Harvard English School alumni, who are unable to tell when some stupid idiot is indicating right when in fact they are turning left; or simply not even turning at all . You hear such seemingly educated individuals urging civil servants to accept stands becoz govt has no money, blaa blaa blaa. So, with all their degrees and/or diplomas they cant appreciate that a stand can not just fall into govt hands/ possession like manna? Gvt would need much more money to provide stands than simply give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar. Hence they cant see that Mugabe & his ministers are just blowing some trebly smelly hot air. nxaaaaaaa
How the CEO ZIMBABWE DEAL WITH CORRUPTION WHEN HE HIMSELF IS C….!
This problem of economic deterioration has been an ongoing exercise (malaise) since we attained the so called independence without any solutions (panacea). Its only the big chefs (ministers and their friend and relatives. As the citizens, we need to start afresh, by voting for men and women with no criminal record, this being inclusive of all government employees (the police, the army, the judiciary and all relevant stakeholders). The country is really tired of the same spineless corrupt leaders.