By Byron Mutingwende
The Clerk of Parliament, media experts and accountants at a recent seminar for media practitioners on public finance reporting held in Nyanga called for greater collaboration between lawmakers and media practitioners in promoting public finance accountability. The seminar was organised by the Southern African Parliamentary Support Trust (SAPST).
Speaking at the event , Human rights lawyer Chris Mhike said there is need for these legislators and journalists to understand Section 298on Principles of Public Financial Management which encourages transparency and accountability in financial matters of the state.
“Parliament as lawmakers and the media as the Fourth Estate must work to ensure that the burdens and benefits of the use of resources must be shared equitably between present and future generations,” said Mhike.
Currently, there is an outcry on Harare City Council’s US$144 million China Import and Export Bank loan meant to upgrade the city’s water delivery system.
Harare based auditor, Frank Tazviwana weighed in by saying, “While Parliament’s approval of such a deal was above board the fact that councilors who are elected officials were not consulted on the implementation raises eyebrows. This came to light when council bought top of the range Ford Ranger vehicles as service vehicles,”
Dr. Lawton Hikwa, a commissioner at the Zimbabwe Media Commission said extensive coverage on the status of public debt, and translation of complex language and figures into comprehensible language are some of the roles of media practitioners in public finance management.
Dr. Hikwa said Section 300 (3) of the Constitution states that within sixty days after the Government has concluded a loan agreement or guarantee, the Minister responsible for finance must cause its terms to be published in the Government Gazette. Because more often than not this does not happen, the onus is on the media to report such shortcomings.
He said Section 300 (4) of the Constitution provides that the Finance Minister must at least twice a year, report to Parliament on the performance of loans raised and guaranteed by the state.
“Thus the media must work closely with the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Public Accounts, whose mandate is to examine the financial affairs and accounts of Government ministries and departments and State-owned enterprises as well as working with the Auditor General’s Office.
Clerk of Parliament Austin Zvoma said although the mandate of Parliament is to make laws for the peace, order and good governance of the country, it also has a duty of protecting the same constitution and promoting democratic governance.
“Section 119 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe states that Parliament is vested with supreme authority to promote democratic governance and ensure that the State and all institutions and agencies of government at every level act constitutionally and in the national interest,”Zvoma said.
Zvoma added that the Public Accounts Committee must examine the sums granted by Parliament to meet the public expenditure and of such accounts laid before Parliament as the Committee may think fit.
Director of Southern African Parliamentary Support Trust John Makamure urged media practitioners to adhere to professionalism and ethical conduct in carrying out their duties towards the promotion of transparent and accountable public finance management.
