Transport minister applauds Zinara following clean audit

Freeman Razemba

Senior Reporter

In a significant milestone for public sector accountability under the Second Republic, Zinara has achieved a 100 percent clean audit from the Auditor General for the year ended December 31, 2023.

This is the first time that Zinara has achieved this remarkable milestone since its inception in 2002.

The Authority has reportedly implemented all the recommendations made in the Grant Thornton forensic audit report of 2018 which unearthed gross governance and operational anomalies.

This turn of events is attributed to the rigorous organisational transformation measures being implemented as part of parastatal reforms under the leadership of President Mnangagwa.

Addressing delegates and stakeholders at the Zinara 8th Annual General Meeting today, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona said: “l applaud Zinara for complying with Section 33 (3) of the Public Entities Corporate Governance Act which provides that at least once a year, the board of every public entity shall convene an annual general meeting to be attended by representatives of the line ministry and other stakeholders.

“As stakeholders, we are excited by the work ethic, attitude and focus of Zinara’s board and management. Unrelenting efforts to comply with corporate governance principles and voluntary subjection to oversight is a testimony of the milestones being achieved by Zinara.”

Minister Mhona said Zinara has become a flagship parastatal in Zimbabwe, epitomising good governance, excellence in performance and astute financial prudence.

“We have noticed that improved disbursements are being made to road authorities and periodic publications are being made on these disbursements,” he said.

“This level of transparency, including publication of your audited accounts, is testimony of improved efficiency. A good reputation is key.”

Minister Mhona challenged Zinara to adopt smart and more efficient tolling technologies.

Zinara chief executive officer Mr Nkosinathi Ncube urged the public to take a keen interest on the utilisation of road funds to ensure contractors deliver quality work.