Press Release
Date: 28 February 2013
Contact:
Emmanuel Ndlovu
Programmes
and Advocacy Manager
Bulawayo
Progressive Residents Association (BPRA)
BPRA Lobbies Anti-Corruption Commission on BEAM and HSCTP
BULAWAYO Progressive
Residents Association (BPRA) has written to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption
Commission requesting investigations into the administration of the Basic
Education Assistance Module (BEAM)and the Harmonised Social Cash Transfer
Programme (HSCTP). The investigations are meant to put to rest allegations of
underhand dealings and corruption in the administration of the two programmes
within the broader goal of promoting transparency and accountability in the
operations of public institutions. The HSCTP is a social welfare project that
is operated by the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare and aims at poverty
alleviation through financial support to households living in extreme poverty.
Meanwhile BEAM is a social welfare programme, operated by the same ministry
that supports poor and vulnerable children with their education.
Investigations carried
out by BPRA in 2012 in the six wards (ward 8, ward 14, ward 18, ward 19, ward
27 and ward 28) where the pilot phase of the HSCTP is in place revealed
irregularities in the administration of the project with intended beneficiaries
alleging that they were being fleeced of their handouts. Meanwhile residents of
Bulawayo have previously complained that BEAM was not reaching the intended
beneficiaries, with school heads, influential teachers and School Development
Committees (SDC) members allegedly using their influence to enlist their kith
and kin who do not need educational assistance.
In the two letters,
dated 26 February 2013 and addressed to the General Manager of the Zimbabwe
Anti-Corruption Commission, BPRA requested investigations into the HSCTP and
BEAM to ensure transparency and accountability in the operations of the two
programmes in order to ensure that they adequately benefit the intended
beneficiaries –underprivileged and vulnerable people. In a response to the
letters today (28 February 2013), the Anti-Corruption
Commission wrote “Thank you for sending this vital information to us. Please
note that you report will get the necessary attention and look forward to
hearing from us soon.”
Please find attached copies of the letters that BPRA
sent to the Anti-Corruption Commission.
Signed
.........................................................
Mr Emmanuel Ndlovu
Programmes and Advocacy
Manager
Bulawayo Progressive
Residents Association (BPRA)
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