The cash-strapped Zimbabwean authorities has didn’t disburse US$10.5 million allotted to Members of Parliament (MPs) underneath the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

The funds, equal to US$50,000 per constituency, had been introduced by Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda in September this yr.

Despite the announcement, MPs haven’t acquired the funds, prompting Marondera Central MP Caston Matewu (CCC) to lift some extent of privilege in Parliament.

Matewu expressed frustration that the funds had not been disbursed, citing the challenges posed by the instability of the native foreign money.

Cumulatively, US$50,000 allotted to every of the 210 constituencies totals US$10,500,000.

MPs had been urged to submit their improvement challenge proposals for funding consideration. But they haven’t acquired the funds since 2022.

The CDF allocation is supposed to assist improvement initiatives in constituencies throughout the nation. However, parliamentarians have been advocating for the funds to be disbursed in US {dollars}, citing the challenges posed by the native foreign money’s instability.

“It is unlucky the Minister of Finance will not be right here. This august House final acquired the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) in 2022. This is now 2024 and we’re going into 2025; will probably be three years.

“Year on year appropriating the Constituency Development Fund and it is not coming to the Hon. Members of this august House,” Matewu said throughout parliamentary session on Thursday.

“I need to implore by way of you that the Minister releases our Constituency Development Fund in order that we might be assured. If we’re to move this Budget once more with CDF, certainly this time will come to the Hon. Members constituencies which to the general public we’ve already acquired.

“The announcement that was made went viral even on ZBC saying we received the 50 000 and lots of in our constituencies are being harassed by residents saying, the place is that this 50 000 that was mentioned by Parliament that we’ve been appropriated?

“Through your workplace, are you able to please be certain that earlier than we break off, the Minister of Finance pays us all our excellent allowances in order that as Hon. Members, we’re in a position to expedite a few of our bills?

“We are going into the festive season, can you please ensure that the Minister pays all of us all our outstanding allowances?”

The Deputy Speaker of Parliament promised to relay the message to the Minister of Finance.

The Zimbabwean authorities is dealing with huge monetary constraints. It is struggling to pay civil servants and comprise the El Nino-induced drought.