The government according to the Newsday has admitted it sold vulnerable citizens a dummy by disbursing less than 1% of the funds it had promised to extend to vulnerable families during the lockdown.
The matter came to light in Parly after Senator Watson Khupe who represents people with disabilities (PWDs) asked Social Welfare deputy minister Lovemore Matuke for an update over social assistance which is yet to be disbursed to PWDs.
Matuke reportedly responded by saying:
Most people will need to be registered and it might take time, but in the next few weeks you will see progress. We have paid $200 000 to date. We need to know where those people live so that we can connect to them
Matuke’s response came at a time when non-governmental organisations like the Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (Zimcodd) asked for transparency and accountability on how the $600 million package announced by treasury to the vulnerable citizens will be disbursed as details of the beneficiaries are sketchy.
The government had announced it would distribute the first 200 Million to vulnerable families last month.
More: Newsday