Chairman of the Portfolio Committee on Mines and Mining
Development, Mr Edmond Mkaratigwa, confirmed the development saying complaints
over the matter have been tabled before his team.
“We have received complaints in our committee. We called
the implicated as well as the ministry officials for oral evidence sessions,
which in some instances shamed the perpetrators and sometimes in camera where
we felt the matters were not that big,” he said.
Mr Mkaratigwa said the oral evidence sessions were done to
ensure accountability and transparency in the sector, where some players stand
accused of fanning corruption and inefficiency.
He, however, could not be drawn to disclose more details of
the nature of cases involved and the names of alleged perpetrators.
The committee, he said, also conducted inquiries and tabled
reports with appropriate recommendations in the National Assembly, to ensure
implementers took note of claims that had been made.
“Off the cuff it may be difficult for me to state (the
number and names of officials implicated) because some of those charged may not
be so direct but as a result of the committee expositions, registration of
disappointment and pressure, it is more of the impacts sometimes than the
output,” said Mr Mkaratigwa.
He said the Mines and Mining Development Committee is
focusing on the legislation of the sector, which is informed by the Mines and
Minerals Amendment Bill.
The Bill is still being fine-tuned after it was returned by
President Mnangagwa for further amplification.
“In that regard we are now awaiting the final Draft Bill
from the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development in conjunction with the
Attorney General. We were supposed to have the all stakeholders conference in
December and we anticipate the event to take place early this year. The budget
for that is in place,” said Mr Mkaratigwa.
He said they have also created an adhoc committee that
superintendents the Draft Bill process instead of just waiting for the Ministry
and Attorney General’s drafters.
“Hence we became part of it through delegating the task to
the adhoc committee. The Committee also conducted inquiries and tabled reports
with appropriate recommendations in the National Assembly, to ensure
implementers took note and on that one, we make constant follow-ups,” said Mr
Mkaratigwa. Chronicle
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