THE Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Public Works and National Housing yesterday started probing circumstances surrounding the allocation of new government flats under the Willowvale Housing Project Phase II.

The committee summoned Natio-nal Housing and Social Amenities Minister Giles Mutsekwa and permanent secretary Mr David Munyoro to explain to the committee and the ministry's terms of references.

The terms of reference, it is understood, will help the committee in carrying out its investigations without hindrance.

There are allegations that some of the beneficiaries are children under the age of 10.In an interview after the closed-door meeting, Committee chairperson Cde Lovemore Mupukuta (Zanu-PF) said the committee was still investigating the allegations.

He said his committee would also summon the beneficiaries of the housing scheme to explain how they benefited.

"We wanted to seek clarification for instances terms of reference for both the Ministry and our committee in carrying out our mandates," Cde Mupukuta said.

"We are investigating the allocation of government houses under the Willowvale Housing Project Phase II and all other housing schemes.

"We will also interact with the beneficiaries in trying to establish how they benefited." Cde Mupukuta said as a Parliamentary committee they were carrying out their oversight role.

After completion of the probe, he said the committee would then present a report before Parliament.

This, Cde Mupukuta said could be done by next month after all the procedures have been done. In the meeting yesterday it was agreed that Cde Mupukuta, as committee chairperson and Minister Mutsekwa would be allowed to comment on the alleged scandal.

Minister Mutsekwa said he was happy with the work that his Ministry officials were doing.

"My officials have explained to me how people are buying those properties and I am happy about what they told me," he said.

Legislators who spoke to the Herald on condition of anonymity said they wanted to get to the bottom of the matter.

"As a committee we have made it clear we want to know who was responsible for the scandal and the terms of references we sought will help us investigate the matter to its logical conclusion," said a source.

An MDC-T legislator added: "The fact that our party Minister is in charge of the Ministry has given us the zeal to investigate this case hoping that he will not be found wanting, because anything contrary to that will cost the party seriously since we have said we don't want corruption both in our private and public structures.

"This is an opportunity for us as a party to walk the talk and prove that indeed corruption will not be tolerated in the party. We have blessings of the party in this probe. We will leave no stone unturned and if the Minister is not involved then good for him and the party as well."