Report exposes corruption in govt procurement

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A recently produced Auditor’s report has laid bare shocking evidence of corruption, revealing how government procurement processes are being exploited, costing millions of dollars. In December 2022, the Ministry of Finance ordered seven Toyota Hilux GD6 vehicles from Tsapo, a local car dealership. However, as of September 2023, these vehicles had not been delivered, according to the Office of the Auditor General (OAG). This delay is part of a broader pattern of procurement issues affecting various government ministries, including the Ministry of Mines, Home Affairs, and the Department of Immigration. The OAG’s audit reveals significant delays, missing deliveries, and discrepancies in government procurement processes, raising questions about accountability and efficiency in the supply chain.

Ministry of Mines’ Vehicle Orders

In September 2022, the Ministry of Mines ordered a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado VXL and a Toyota Land Cruiser 79 from Burnett Motors, totaling US$193,000. The Prado VXL was delivered in April 2023, but without the necessary ownership transfer documents. The Land Cruiser 79 had not been delivered by May 2023.

Home Affairs’ Car Procurement

In 2022, the Ministry of Home Affairs ordered 35 cars from Faramatsi Motors for ZWL$182,621,960, with an agreement to pay half the amount before delivery within four weeks. The Ministry paid ZWL$175,000,000 upfront, but by May 2023, only 11 cars had been delivered, leaving 24 still outstanding.

Costly Missing Laptops

The Ministry of Home Affairs paid US$422,487 for 26 printers, 67 laptops, 55 desktop computers, and 22 printers. By May 2023, 22 of the printers had not been delivered. Additionally, in 2022, the Ministry paid US$474,750 to Vital Computers for 150 i7 laptops, expected within two weeks. By May 2023, only 26 laptops had arrived, with the government paying US$3,165 per laptop, despite market prices ranging between US$807 and US$960.

Furniture Delivery Issues

In 2023, the Department of Immigration paid US$439,585 to Aganang Furniture for office furniture, with a two-week delivery agreement. However, by May 2023, no furniture had been delivered.

Unaccounted Contracts

The government paid US$8.1 million for 129 cars for the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS), but failed to properly record this in the accounts. The OAG noted that documents related to the actual amount paid were not available for inspection, and the amount was not disclosed in the Appropriation Account.

Attorney General’s Office Vehicle Purchases

In 2023, the government purchased cars for the Attorney-General’s office: seven from Byword Trading for US$374,430 and 11 from Paza Buster for US$533,500. These vehicles were to be delivered within 6-8 weeks. However, by the time of the audit, the three Toyota Corollas and four Toyota Hilux 2.8 GD6 from Byword had not been delivered, nor had the four Isuzu D-Max vehicles from Paza Buster.

High Court’s Vehicle Procurement

The Master of the High Court purchased four Toyota Hilux cars from Croco Motors in 2022 for US$252,657, with a 40-day delivery agreement. By June 2023, only one vehicle had been delivered.

Ministry of Sport’s Vehicle Orders

In December 2022, the Ministry of Sport ordered 17 Nissan Navara cars from AMTEC for ZWL$393,171,724. By May 2023, only seven had been delivered, with four of those yet to be registered in the Ministry’s name.

These procurement delays and discrepancies highlight significant issues in the government’s supply chain management and accountability. The OAG’s findings call for urgent reforms to ensure transparency, efficiency, and proper use of public funds in government procurement processes.