Members of Parliament (MPs) have challenged Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube over delays in the release of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) money, expressing frustration over the lack of transparency and accountability in the allocation process.
During a parliamentary session, Budiriro North legislator Susan Matsunga pressed Ncube to provide a concrete timeline for the funds’ disbursement, emphasizing the need for clarity to avoid public misconceptions.
“Kindly give us a response with dates and days because from the information being shared with the public, people assume we are misusing the funds,” Matsunga said.
“I am asking you to state it clearly so that our constituents understand that we have not yet received anything from the Finance Ministry.”
In response, Ncube attributed the delay to financial and administrative challenges but assured MPs that the funds would begin to be disbursed from April 10, 2025.
“The disbursement of these funds will commence soon. I have been assured that by the end of next week, significant progress will be made in releasing the funds,” he stated.
“Our policy remains to support constituencies through the CDF mechanism.”
However, Kuwadzana East legislator Chalton Hwende accused Ncube of repeatedly misleading Parliament about the disbursement timeline.
“The question was simple: just state the exact day for next week,” Hwende said.
“The Speaker of Parliament even considered a motion of contempt against you because you have misled Parliament on three occasions. In Bulawayo, during our budget meeting, you gave a date in November. Then in December, you gave another date here in Parliament. This pattern of misinformation is a serious offence.”
Harare East legislator Kevin Mutimbanyoka sought clarification on whether the promised disbursement would include outstanding funds from 2023.
The CDF is a government initiative designed to channel development funds to constituencies, enabling MPs to implement local projects. In the 2025 national budget, ZiG270 million was allocated to the fund.
According to parliamentary regulations, only the 210 constituency-based legislators in the National Assembly qualify to receive CDF financing, while the total number of MPs in Parliament stands at 360.
As tensions rise over the delayed disbursements, MPs continue to push for transparency and timely allocation of funds to ensure effective constituency development.
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