By Lubalethu Ndlovu
Four constituencies in Bulawayo have brought forward feedback on the utilisation of the Constituency Development Funds (CDF) allocated for this year.
These constituencies are Magwegwe, Luveve, Nkulumane and Makokoba.
This came into light during a Transparency International Zimbabwe (TIZ) – organised feedback meeting with the social audit teams held in the city Wednesday.
Magwegwe Constituency purchased furniture for schools in their area along with 10 digital blood pressure monitors for the local clinic.
“As Magwegwe our first priority was to attend to schools which were neglected last year and these are JW Mthimkhulu and Mohale primary school,” said Gift Marimira, Magwegwe’s management committee secretary,
Luveve Constituency managed to buy textbooks for Cowdray Park Primary School while Makokoba opted to electrify boreholes in the area.
Nkulumane was yet to compile a report on how the funds were disbursed.
Constituencies are allocated ZW$ 50 000 per year which is established in terms of Section 18 of the Public Finance Management Act and aimed at funding developmental projects.
TIZ Advocacy Officer, Njabulo Moyo, said residents have to be alert and keep detailed reports of how CDF was utilised in their constituencies
“CDF funds are public knowledge funds and everyone should be able to account how and what the funds were used for,” said Moyo.
CDF social audit committee members were advised to deal with registered and recommended companies by the government to curb corruption.
TIZ legal officer, Marilyn Sibanda, advised residents to take heed of other funds such as the Bulawayo City Council administered Ward Retention Fund.
“We have other funds apart from CDF such as the water retention fund to keep track of so make sure that you do not neglect any of them,” said Sibanda.
The representatives from the four constituencies said they were already looking forward to next year’s allocation.
