A group of young Zimbabweans committed to promoting government accountability and transparency has written to the Auditor General’s Office, expressing concern about the overdue release of the 2023 report.
The group’s members include Munashe Cuthbert Masiyiwa, Bridgette Mambondiyani, Tatenda Kutsirai, Passionate Fuza, and Denise Nyaradzo, who jointly signed the letter to the AG’s office.
The report, which is mandated by law to be submitted to Parliament within six months of the financial year-end, is now overdue, according to the aforementioned youths.
In their letter to the AG, the youths stated: “As of today, 10 July, the deadline has passed, constituting non-compliance with these legal requirements, hence our concern.
“The timely release of the Auditor General’s report is crucial for ensuring transparency and fostering public trust in government operations.”
They also highlighted the importance of the report in enforcing effective governance and accountability.
“The report provides invaluable insights into the financial management of public resources and highlights areas requiring improvement. Without this critical information, our ability to advocate for effective governance and accountability is significantly hindered,” the group indicated in their letter.
The students’ union urged AG’s office to release the reports immediately as they are now overdue and also to give clarification on the reasons for the delay.
“We respectfully request the immediate publication of the overdue report and seek clarification on the reasons for the delay,” they said.
They also urged the AG’s office to: Implement measures to prevent such delays in the future, ensuring adherence to the legal timelines set forth by the Audit Office Act [Chapter 22-18].
