(Note by Veritas - presented to National Assembly on 10 May 2022.)
INTRODUCTION
1.1 COVID19, which broke out in late 2019 across the world and in Zimbabwe in early 2021 brought about fundamental changes in the way people live. Never before had people been faced with serious disruptions of work though such a virus which to date the medical fraternity has not found a cure for. Governments across the world, including Zimbabwean authorities had to come up with policies and programmes to contain the spread of Covid 19. Apart from resources provided by Treasury,
individuals and corporates also mobilised resources which they donated to finance Government of Zimbabwe’s effort in fighting the scourge.
1.2 Following the roll out of the programmes it became imperative that the resources mobilised should be accounted for. An audit was necessary especially after negative reports that came out in various media alleging corruption in the tender processes and generally in the use of resources. The Auditor General’s Report which focussed on Covid 19 Relief Funds Management was therefore a welcome development particularly for oversight institutions. When this Report was tabled in Parliament, it stood referred to the Public Accounts Committee, which resolved to examine the Report as part of its oversight function over the Executive.
