News / National
Mangoma acquitted on tender flouting case
22 Oct 2015 at 07:01hrs | Views
Former Energy and Power Development Minister Elton Steers Mangoma, who was accused of flouting tender procedures during his time in the inclusive Government, was yesterday acquitted.
Allegations were that Mangoma (54) hand-picked OK Zimbabwe as the third party prepaid electricity vendor after ordering cancellation of a ZETDC tender. Harare magistrate Mr Hoseah Mujaya ruled that the State failed to prove a prima facie case against Mr Mangoma.
"There were two sets of witnesses. The first half said Mangoma's conduct was criminal while the other half said there was nothing criminal.
"There was not enough evidence that the court can place him on his defence.
"However, Mangoma alleged that he was being persecuted because of his political beliefs, his fear of political persecution is imaginary."
There was jubilation and clapping from Mr Mangoma's Renewal Democrats Party of Zimbabwe members after the handing down of judgment.
Mr Mangoma, of 25 Pendennis Road, in Mt Pleasant, Harare, was represented by his lawyer, Ms Beatrice Mtetwa
He was facing cahrges of criminal abuse of duty as a public officer.
The complainant was the State Procurement Board (SPB) represented by its principal officer, Mr Cledwyn Nyanhete.
It was alleged that in August 2012, ZETDC floated tender number ZETDC 13/ 2012 for the appointment of third party prepaid electricity vending. The closing date was October 2 the same year.
On September 17, 2012, Mr Mangoma directed ZETDC accounting officer Mr Julian Chinembiri to cancel the tender.
Furthermore, Mr Mangoma allegedly ordered Mr Chinembiri to handpick OK Zimbabwe for the prepaid electricity vending without going to tender.
Allegations were that Mangoma (54) hand-picked OK Zimbabwe as the third party prepaid electricity vendor after ordering cancellation of a ZETDC tender. Harare magistrate Mr Hoseah Mujaya ruled that the State failed to prove a prima facie case against Mr Mangoma.
"There were two sets of witnesses. The first half said Mangoma's conduct was criminal while the other half said there was nothing criminal.
"There was not enough evidence that the court can place him on his defence.
"However, Mangoma alleged that he was being persecuted because of his political beliefs, his fear of political persecution is imaginary."
There was jubilation and clapping from Mr Mangoma's Renewal Democrats Party of Zimbabwe members after the handing down of judgment.
He was facing cahrges of criminal abuse of duty as a public officer.
The complainant was the State Procurement Board (SPB) represented by its principal officer, Mr Cledwyn Nyanhete.
It was alleged that in August 2012, ZETDC floated tender number ZETDC 13/ 2012 for the appointment of third party prepaid electricity vending. The closing date was October 2 the same year.
On September 17, 2012, Mr Mangoma directed ZETDC accounting officer Mr Julian Chinembiri to cancel the tender.
Furthermore, Mr Mangoma allegedly ordered Mr Chinembiri to handpick OK Zimbabwe for the prepaid electricity vending without going to tender.
Source - the herald
