MUTARE, Aug. 7 (NewsDay Live) – Mutare Central legislator Brian James has dismissed allegations of financial impropriety involving Constituency Development Fund (CDF) allocations, describing them as a politically motivated smear campaign and insisting all projects in his constituency were implemented transparently.
The allegations were published by social media platform The Eye of Mutare, which accused the legislator of irregularities in the utilisation of CDF funds.
Speaking to NewsDay, James rejected the claims and said he had nothing to hide.
“It is a smear campaign against me. Everything we do in terms of CDF is above board and we have nothing to hide. It all started during the Ward 3 by-election campaign when they claimed I was resigning,” he said.
James alleged that some individuals were attempting to force him out of office through misinformation.
“Some people are desperately pushing for my resignation or ouster by any means,” he said.
He said the allegations were linked to enquiries from an individual who questioned the design and cost of a footbridge in Sakubva.
“I had a conversation with someone who claimed to be an engineer asking about the structure and cost of a footbridge in Sakubva. I asked him whether he was a professional engineer and referred him to the Mutare City Council engineer and the relevant department because they supervised the construction,” James said.
He said CDF projects in the constituency were implemented through committees selected by residents, a process he said was intended to promote transparency and accountability.
James said he welcomed any investigation into the allegations, citing Parliament’s oversight mechanisms for CDF expenditure.
“Investigations can be conducted by the Parliamentary CDF Committee, which carries out monitoring, verification visits and assessment tours of constituency projects to evaluate compliance and effectiveness,” he said.
He added that legislators were also required to submit financial acquittals to Parliament to account for CDF expenditure.
James also dismissed speculation that he intended to resign from Parliament.
“I want to assure the people of Mutare Central that I am not going to resign. I am here to serve them. The claims being circulated are false and driven by an agenda,” he said.
