On the 22nd of May 2018, Masakhaneni held a local budget tracking meeting with community leaders from the 5 wards where the project Promoting Sustainable Peace through Improved Resilience and Secured Livelihoods is being implemented. Thirty two people from the 5 wards attended. These comprised of community leadership, councillors, village heads, members of the VIDCO as well as MPT’s community facilitators. Apart from the ritualistic way of community engagement in public consultations on council budgets, it is important for people to participate throughout the budget cycle till the monitoring and evaluation phase. However, citizens do not have a say in all budget processes yet inclusivity should be key where good governance is practised.
In the meeting community members were taken through the various budget processes including those who are or should be part of these processes. Budget tracking is important as a way of monitoring finances. It is vital to check whether planned programs are on track and make adjustments where necessary. Issues of accountability and checks and balances are vital in avoiding cases of corruption and fraud. The participants were taken through the Rural District Councils act which also indicates lack of financial independence within councils as the budgets must still be approved by the relevant minister. The role of Councillors in the budgetary processes was emphasized. Residents also have the opportunity to contest the budget presentation at an advised time. Community members were further taken through the budget priority areas of Matobo RDC for 2018. It is the duty of the residents to track the performance of the council along these areas. It is also the prerogative of the council to conduct budget tracking meetings for the benefit of the community members. However, the council usually falls short of funds to conduct these. The meeting was an eye opener to the community leaders who realised the importance of participating in all budget processes: A step towards inclusivity in achieving good governance.
Below are some of the pictures of participants.
