PAC’s Move to Summon Finance Political Posturing as Media Hype Overshadows Government’s Transparency Efforts

PAC’s Move to Summon Finance Political Posturing as Media Hype Overshadows Government’s Transparency Efforts

Nevanji Munyaradzi Chiondegwa

The Standard and The Business Times carried a story reported by ZimEye and Newsday Zimbabwe, in which the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) headed by Charlton Hwende said it will summon the Finance and Economic Development Ministry Permanent Secretary, George Guvamatanga, to appear before Parliament over his criticism of the Auditor General’s report.

According to Hwende, Guvamatanga’s remarks were an attempt to undermine the Office of the Auditor General’s constitutional role. The newspapers reported that the Auditor General’s report exposed massive corruption in government entities.

The statements attributed to Guvamatanga were made to the Parliamentary Finance Committee chaired by former Finance Deputy Minister, Clemence Chiduwa. Guvamatanga was clarifying the situation as requested by the Committee, wherein he highlighted that there was no need for all the excitement about cars raised by the Report. His response was based on the fact that the Auditor General’s report failed to note that the Government was aware of the issues it raised but had already taken action.

Guvamatanga said, “The Auditor General’s office was wrong to present these findings as new issues. They should have informed the public that the government had already discovered the undelivered goods and was taking action. I am not saying they should not have highlighted them, but they should have mentioned that the government was aware of the situation.”

Hwende’s move to summon Guvamatanga is seen as an attempt to silence the Permanent Secretary’s response to the Auditor General’s report. However, Guvamatanga, as the accounting officer of the Ministry of Finance, has the right to comment on the issues raised in the report.

Financial audits generally focus on the accuracy of financial statements, compliance with accounting standards, and the effectiveness of internal controls designed to prevent and detect fraud and errors. While audits can uncover instances of fraud or irregularities, they do not necessarily expose corruption.

The distinction between fraud and corruption is important. Fraud is intentional deception for personal gain, while corruption is the abuse of entrusted power for private benefit. The Auditor General’s report did not show evidence of either fraud or corruption, as the government was already aware of the issues raised and had taken action.

Guvamatanga’s comments were made to the Parliamentary Finance Committee, and the committee did not find any need to censure him during his presentation, indicating they were satisfied with his response. Hwende’s attempt to summon Guvamatanga appears to be a political move rather than an oversight role.

In conclusion, the Auditor General’s report did not expose massive corruption, and Guvamatanga’s comments were made in a procedural manner, outlining the process of auditing. The newspapers’ portrayal of the situation as a corruption scandal is unfounded and should be treated with caution.