By Sukuoluhle Ndlovu
Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD) has called for the release of the 2019 Audit Report which is now overdue.
The latest ZIMCODD Weekend Reader states that the delay in the 2020 report will overshadow the recommendations of the 2019 report.
OAG had indicated that the Audit report will be released in the first quarter of 2021 citing the Covid-19 pandemic had caused the delays.
The first quarter has passed and nothing has been released yet.
“Now that we have gone past the end if the first quarter, ZIMCODD is compelled to raise concern over this matter and calling on citizens and all stakeholders to collectively demand the OAG to fulfill its promise and release the long overdue report for the following important response. OAG must play its constitutional role and release the 2019 report which is long overdue. Any further delays will compromise best practices of accounting as well as transparency and accountability in the management of public finances.
“The OAG report will go a long way in assisting the government in its anti corruption drive as it will have details of maladministration and corrupt activities in government departments, ministries and local authorities.
Zimbabwe cannot win the battle against corruption when told like OAG’s report is delayed. The audit is supposed to provide evidence that constitutional commissions like ZAC, the NPA and the ZRP can us in pursuing corruption at all levels of government,” read the report.
ZIMCODD is working towards setting up a committee whose mandate is to follow up on recommendations, ensuring they are implemented.
The committee set up will help in the implementation and follow up on resolutions.
