The Youth Alliance for Democracy (YAD) has requested Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube to disclose the source of funds for the purchase of 19 vehicles that were handed over to Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD) principals by President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently.
In a letter addressed to Ncube and dated 18 August 2021, YAD director Tichaona Masiyambiri said they have asked for the information in order to promote public accountability and protection of access to information as a human right. The letter reads:
RE: REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON FUNDING FOR POLITICAL ACTORS DIALOGUE (POLAD VEHICLES
Reference is made to the above in response to vehicles allocated to political parties under the banner of POLAD,
We kindly request information on where funding for vehicles allocated to POLAD principles was drawn from.
By making this request we are guided by Section 621) & (2) of the 2013 Constitution of Zimbabwe which states that every Zimbabwean citizen or permanent resident, including juristic persons, has the right of access to any information held by the Seate or by any institution or agency of government at every level, in so far as the information is required in the interests of public accountability and for the exercise or protection of a right.
The information required is meant to promote public accountability and protection of access to information as a human right.
Section 68 accords every person the right to administrative conduct that is lawful, prompt efficient reasonable proportionate, impartial and both substantively and procedurally fair.
Section 194 provide for basic values and principles governing public administration.
Section 194(1)(a), (b), (c), (d), (f) and (h) provides that public administration in all tiers of government, including institutions and agencies of the State and government-controlled entities and other public enterprises must be governed by the democratic values and principles enshrined in the Constitution, including the following principles: (1) promoting and maintaining a high standard of professional ethics; (2) efficient and economical use of resources; (3) development-oriented public administration (4) provision of services impartially, fairly, equitably and without Nias (5) accountability to Parliament d the people (6) fostering transparency through timely provision of accessible and accurate information to the public.
Chapter 17 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe lays out the financial management system, authorisation of expenditure and safeguarding of public funds and property.
By making this request we are guided by Section 194(1)(e) which states that people’s needs must be responded to within a reasonable time.
We look forward to hearing from you and for further information do not hesitate to contact the undersigned.
Yours Faithfully
T. Masiyambiri
Director