Farai Jere linked company named in Harare's multi-million water deal, raising a stink

Helcraw Electrical, a company with a history of securing controversial contracts with public institutions, has been awarded a key role in the government's plan to revamp Harare's water reticulation system. The company, which is linked to Zanu-PF legislator Farai Jere, was named as the local partner of Chinese firm Hangzhou Laison Technology by Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe last week.

The project, which involves constructing a new water treatment plant and installing smart water meters across the city, is expected to cost millions of dollars, although the exact budget has not been disclosed. Harare's size and water infrastructure challenges suggest the financial outlay will be significant.

Helcraw's selection has sparked public concern, given its controversial track record in past government dealings. In 2016, the State Procurement Board faced backlash after awarding the company a contract to build the 120-megawatt Mutare Power Peaking Plant despite Helcraw failing to meet the Zimbabwe Power Company's (ZPC) technical specifications. The decision reportedly hinged on Helcraw's lower bid of US$92 million, compared to a US$120 million bid from the technically compliant Pito Investments.

Farai Jere, who is closely associated with Helcraw, was also acquitted in a fraud case involving a US$3.5 million smart meter procurement deal with the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC). The allegations included accusations of conducting a factory acceptance test in England instead of India and producing a fake test report.

The latest deal has drawn criticism from residents' associations, who accuse the government of prioritizing personal enrichment over public service delivery. Precious Shumba, executive director of the Harare Residents Trust, described the arrangement as a ploy to enrich politically connected individuals.

"The whole motivation for the government is not to improve service delivery but to enrich companies owned by their proxies," Shumba said. "This is about cartels favoring each other through abusing public offices."

Shumba also criticized the government's broader privatization agenda, arguing that it undermines local authorities, especially those controlled by the opposition following the August 2023 elections.

"The goal is to transfer council responsibilities to companies in which they have a stake, enabling kickbacks for awarding tenders and contracts," he added.

Reuben Akili, programs manager at the Harare Combined Residents Association, echoed these concerns, citing a lack of transparency and public consultation in the decision-making process.

"We are concerned that such deals are being implemented without council resolutions and are exposed to corrupt officials who use their influence to impose these agreements," Akili said. "We have never heard of when this deal went to tender or how it was structured. At the end of the day, the minister is imposing these deals on council for whatever reasons."

The project has reignited calls for accountability and transparency in public procurement processes, with residents demanding clear explanations about how contracts are awarded and whether they will genuinely benefit the city's water system.