Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve, Victoria Falls Reporter
THE Government, through the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC), has conducted a series of critical engagements and consultations with the Victoria Falls City Council aimed at enhancing transparency, efficiency, and compliance in procurement processes.
The objective is to ensure alignment with national laws and policies governing public procurement.
The engagement was led by Dr Michael Musanzikwa, Chief Director of Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets in the OPC. The focus was on reinforcing adherence to the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act.
This meeting forms part of a nationwide initiative to raise awareness among public entities about modern procurement regulations and to curb corruption in public spending.
In an interview with Zimpapers, Dr Musanzikwa noted that the Victoria Falls consultation marked the eighth provincial engagement since last year. He emphasised the Government’s commitment to ensuring that all public entities, including local authorities, operate within the legal framework.
“My role here is to raise awareness and engage with our public entities. Since 2024, we have been conducting similar exercises across Zimbabwe, targeting all public entities and local authorities.
“Victoria Falls is our eighth province where we have held consultations specifically regarding public procurement and asset disposal. Procurement is a strategic function, contributing over 70 percent of the national budget. At the organisational level, it accounts for approximately 70 to 75 percent of expenditure,” he said.
Given the significant share of national and local budgets allocated to procurement, Dr Musanzikwa stressed the importance of strict compliance with procurement laws to prevent mismanagement and corruption.
“It is critical that we educate our people on the importance of procurement, especially in line with legislation such as the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act. Our mandate from the OPC is to facilitate procurement procedures that promote efficiency and effectiveness.”
He pointed out that many officials are still operating under outdated procurement frameworks, highlighting the need for widespread education on the new law.
“The new procurement legislation is still relatively fresh, and many stakeholders are accustomed to the old dispensation. We are here to share the new legal framework and advise on how procurement operations can be improved within our public entities.”
Dr Musanzikwa further explained that procurement processes are highly vulnerable to corruption, which remains a persistent challenge in Zimbabwe’s public sector, including local authorities.
“Procurement, by its nature, is very attractive to corrupt practices. Corruption has become a serious issue in our public sector, and local authorities are no exception. Our goal is to educate stakeholders on the do’s and don’ts of procurement to ensure the delivery of excellent services to our citizens.”
He emphasised that efficient procurement directly impacts the delivery of essential services such as water, electricity, sewage management, refuse collection, healthcare, and education.
Linking procurement to Zimbabwe’s broader development goals, Dr Musanzikwa highlighted its role in achieving Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategies (NDS1 and NDS2).
“Our President has emphasised an inclusive development approach: leaving no one and no place behind. Achieving Vision 2030 requires a participatory effort across all sectors. NDS2, which we are now embarking on, depends heavily on sound procurement practices to allocate public funds effectively.”
He also stressed that procurement is not solely the responsibility of dedicated procurement units but involves all stakeholders, including those initiating purchase requisitions.
“When I refer to public procurement personnel, I mean everyone involved in the process. Every individual who raises a purchase requisition is indirectly or directly involved in committing public funds. It is vital that they understand their responsibilities and act with accountability.”
The Victoria Falls City Council welcomed the engagement, acknowledging the importance of ongoing training and alignment with national procurement standards. Council officials expressed their commitment to implementing the guidelines to improve service delivery and rebuild public trust.
