Govt workers looted WFP mealie meal during Covid-19 lockdown: Parliament Report
A report by the Public Accounts Portfolio Committee has revealed that government workers looted about 350 kgs of mealie meal and 84 litres of cooking oil from goods donated by the World Food Program (WFP).
The goods were meant to benefit vulnerable people during the Covid-19 induced lockdown in 2020.
However, government officials ended up allocating part of the donations for their own use without authority at the expense of the suffering people.
Reading the Committee Report in the National Assembly, Honourable Memory Mbondiah said the ministry officials failed to produce evidence that gave them permission to allocate themselves the goods.
‘’At Mashonaland West Provincial Development Coordinator’s Office, from the two tonnes of mealie meal donated by World Food Program (WFP), three hundred and fifty kilograms (350 kg) were issued to staff members and also out of the 359 cases of cooking oil donated, eighty-four (84) litres were given to staff over and above the $900 worth of grocery allowances that staff were receiving. The authority to issue the donations to members of staff was not availed for audit examination.
‘’The Committee requested the Ministry officials for proof of authority granted to staff at the Mashonaland West Provincial Development Coordinator’s Office to collect goods that were meant for the vulnerable people during the COVID 19 pandemic.
‘’In response to that request the officials could not provide the authority. They indicated that the anomaly had been noted and that action would be taken against those who had committed an offence.
‘’To mitigate against possible loss of donations through pilferage, the Committee was advised that the Ministry would ensure that donated items are declared to a higher structure for example Head Office to avoid double-dipping,’’ said Honourable Mbondiah. The committee recommended that disciplinary action should be taken against officers who committed an offence by distributing goods to staff without authority.
Govt workers looted WFP mealie meal during Covid-19 lockdown: Parliament Report
