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Zimbabwe Lawmakers Criticized for Failing to Spend Developmental Funds


Bikita West and Mutare West Members of Parliament were said to be the only constituencies that have shown interest

Zimbabwe's Constitution and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Eric Matinenga said Thursday his ministry has some idle US$4 million awaiting disbursement under government's constituency development fund.

Matinenga said he was disappointed that only two of the 210 constituencies have applied for the funds. He urged Members of Parliament to apply for funding to carry out development projects in their constituencies.

He said Bikita West and Mutare West were the only constituencies that have shown interest, saying their applications were being evaluated.

Matinenga could however, not say when the funds became available as legislators have complained in the past few months that there was no money for constituency development.

VOA Studio 7 correspondent Irwin Chifera reported from Harare.

For a deeper analysis, VOA turned to Makoni South legislator Pishayi Muchauraya and Combined Harare Residents Association chairman Simbarashe Moyo.

Muchauraya told reporter Patience Rusere that lawmakers were not aware the funds are readily available.

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