Auditor General Mildred Chiri has raised red flags over abuse of funds by the Zimbabwe Singapore mission who had no medical refund claims register despite receiving USD$28, 347 from the treasury.
According to the 2017 audit report, Chiri said Zimbabwe’s Singapore Mission had no medical refund claims register yet reimbursement amounting to US$28 347 equivalent of 38 268 Singapore dollars were made during the period December 2016 to February 2017.
“During 2017 my office audited thirteen foreign missions and consulates namely Berlin, Brussels, Brasilia, Beira, Canberra, Gaborone, Havana, Luanda, Singapore,Tokyo and Windhoek.
“At Zim-Singapore,the mission did not maintain a cash remittances register. At the time of audit the mission had no bank account as it had been closed.
“l noted that the Mission received funds through three methods namely cash disbursements, money from transfer agents and inter mission transfers.
“Zim Singapore Mission had no medical refund claims register although reimbursement amounting to US$28 347 Singapore dollars (SD38 268) were made during the period December 2016 to February 2017,” she said.
Chiri added that “The reimbursements were for services obtained during the period period 2015 up to 2017.There were also instances when the Mission made direct payments to service providers on behalf of staff.
“l was unable to confirm that processed medical claims had not been previously paid as a record of outstanding liabilities was not maintained.
“Further, medical claims amounting to US$5 164 (SGD$ 6 972) were paid although they were not supported by receipts, contrary to best practices,” she said.
