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Albert Chavhunduka Herald Reporter
GOVERNMENT is owed more than US$1 million by women who benefited from loans under the Women Development Fund.
The fund was set up in 2011 to provide loans for “quick-win” projects and promote women’s empowerment and participation in economic development.
Giving oral evidence before the Portfolio Committee on Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development on Tuesday, Secretary for Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development Dr Perpetua Gumbo said the debt was accumulated over the past two years.
She told the committee, chaired by Zanu-PF Goromonzi West legislator Cde Beatrice Nyamupinga, that efforts to recoup the money had so far been been in vain.

“There is a huge debt from some of the people who were given funds under this women empowerment programme,” said Dr Gumbo.
“Some measures were taken to recover the money by POSB, which administers the funds, but with no joy.”
Dr Gumbo said some of the recovery measures were considered harsh in some circles.

“As a ministry, we call upon the representative members in various constituencies to partner with the ministry and encourage all the beneficiaries of the programme to pay back the loans they were granted,” Dr Gumbo said.

MDC-T National Assembly representative for Kuwadzana Mrs Lucia Matibenga pledged to encourage beneficiaries to co-operate.
“It is our call as committee members to ensure the people understand that when they pay back the loans, they are also used to further other projects,” she said.