News / National
ZACC to press new charges in US$9m tender case
2 hrs ago | Views
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has announced plans to lay new charges against Harare Town Clerk, Engineer Hosiah Chisango, and several associates after the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) withdrew charges related to a controversial US$9 million street lights tender.
In a statement released yesterday, ZACC acknowledged the NPA's decision to drop charges against Chisango and four other Harare City Council officials: Never Murerwa (Supply Chain Manager), Denford Zhungu (Principal Accountant), Tawanda Mutenhabundo (Engineering Technician), and Artkins Mandaza (Principal Contracts Administrator).
However, ZACC insisted that the accused remain criminally liable for their alleged roles in the fraudulent awarding of the tender and emphasized that they should still answer for their actions in court.
"Accordingly, ZACC is looking into the matter and will be preferring new charges against the five accused persons," the statement read.
Jabulani Mukomazi, the council's Principal Buyer, remains the only official still facing charges in the matter.
Chisango was initially arrested on allegations of criminal abuse of office linked to the awarding of a tender worth US$9.2 million to Juluka Endo Joint Venture, a company owned by businessman Moses Mpofu. The tender was for the rehabilitation of Harare's street lights ahead of the 44th Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit next month.
The City of Harare had resolved in January to revamp street lights as part of its preparations for the summit. The Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PRAZ) granted specific exemptions on January 29 to fast-track the projects.
The tender, gazetted on March 15 and published on the PRAZ portal on March 19, attracted bids from 11 companies. However, irregularities arose when, on March 28, Murerwa allegedly appointed a tender opening committee that included the accused officials. The committee awarded eight of the ten lots to four companies.
Juluka Endo was initially disqualified for failing to meet tender requirements. However, the officials allegedly colluded to overturn this decision and award the remaining two lots to the company, disregarding its disqualification.
The controversy deepened with revelations that Juluka Endo is linked to Synlak (Pvt) Ltd, a company that failed to deliver on a biogas digester tender awarded in 2019. Under the bidding conditions, companies with poor execution records on previous contracts were ineligible, making the tender award to Juluka Endo a violation of procurement rules.
Despite these red flags, the City of Harare signed a contract with Juluka Endo and prepared to release an advance payment of US$9,244,328.71.
ZACC's decision to pursue fresh charges signals its commitment to holding public officials accountable and safeguarding public resources. The commission reiterated its stance on the importance of ensuring justice, particularly in cases involving corruption and abuse of office.
The outcome of the case will be closely watched as it unfolds, with Chisango and his alleged accomplices expected to face renewed legal challenges in the coming weeks.
In a statement released yesterday, ZACC acknowledged the NPA's decision to drop charges against Chisango and four other Harare City Council officials: Never Murerwa (Supply Chain Manager), Denford Zhungu (Principal Accountant), Tawanda Mutenhabundo (Engineering Technician), and Artkins Mandaza (Principal Contracts Administrator).
However, ZACC insisted that the accused remain criminally liable for their alleged roles in the fraudulent awarding of the tender and emphasized that they should still answer for their actions in court.
"Accordingly, ZACC is looking into the matter and will be preferring new charges against the five accused persons," the statement read.
Jabulani Mukomazi, the council's Principal Buyer, remains the only official still facing charges in the matter.
Chisango was initially arrested on allegations of criminal abuse of office linked to the awarding of a tender worth US$9.2 million to Juluka Endo Joint Venture, a company owned by businessman Moses Mpofu. The tender was for the rehabilitation of Harare's street lights ahead of the 44th Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit next month.
The tender, gazetted on March 15 and published on the PRAZ portal on March 19, attracted bids from 11 companies. However, irregularities arose when, on March 28, Murerwa allegedly appointed a tender opening committee that included the accused officials. The committee awarded eight of the ten lots to four companies.
Juluka Endo was initially disqualified for failing to meet tender requirements. However, the officials allegedly colluded to overturn this decision and award the remaining two lots to the company, disregarding its disqualification.
The controversy deepened with revelations that Juluka Endo is linked to Synlak (Pvt) Ltd, a company that failed to deliver on a biogas digester tender awarded in 2019. Under the bidding conditions, companies with poor execution records on previous contracts were ineligible, making the tender award to Juluka Endo a violation of procurement rules.
Despite these red flags, the City of Harare signed a contract with Juluka Endo and prepared to release an advance payment of US$9,244,328.71.
ZACC's decision to pursue fresh charges signals its commitment to holding public officials accountable and safeguarding public resources. The commission reiterated its stance on the importance of ensuring justice, particularly in cases involving corruption and abuse of office.
The outcome of the case will be closely watched as it unfolds, with Chisango and his alleged accomplices expected to face renewed legal challenges in the coming weeks.
Source - the herald
