Zimbabwe’s Parliament Speaker Urges Vigilance in Public Funds Management
In a stern warning, Jacob Mudenda, the Speaker of Zimbabwe’s Parliament, has called on members of the Southern African Development Community Organisation of Public Accounts Committees (SADCOPAC) to be vigilant in monitoring and managing public funds in the region. Mudenda made the remarks during a three-day capacity building seminar in Zimbabwe, attended by delegates from 16 countries in the bloc.
The Speaker emphasized the importance of respecting the wishes of taxpayers, who are always looking for "value for money" in national budget management. He urged SADCOPAC members to prioritize transparency and accountability in public financial management, warning that failing to do so would result in the "death" of national purses.
Mudenda also highlighted the need for SADCOPAC members to adapt to technologies in the current fourth industrial revolution, including Artificial Intelligence (AI). He encouraged members to focus on creating wealth for economies and emphasized the importance of resource mobilization.
The comments come as Zimbabwe’s government departments, parastatals, and local councils are mired in corruption scandals that have allegedly drained millions of dollars. Graft, including financial illicit flows, is one of the main topics to be discussed by SADCOPAC members during the training session.
The ultimate aim of SADCOPAC, according to Mudenda, is to create the wellness and happiness of citizens and to create wealth for economies. He urged members to work together with the Auditor General’s office and the sister committee of Budget and Finance to achieve this goal.
In his address, Mudenda emphasized the importance of independence in scrutiny of public financial management, warning that without courage of convictions, SADCOPAC members would be failing their citizens. He urged members to prioritize continuous learning and to adapt to new technologies to stay ahead of the curve.
The capacity building seminar aims to equip SADCOPAC members with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively monitor and manage public funds in their respective countries. The training session will focus on various issues, including national budgets’ best practices, public financial management, and collaboration and oversight role.
