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Fungai Lupande Court Reporter
ZESA Holdings managing director and accounting officer Julian Chinembiri yesterday failed to explain why his management misinformed the board on reasons why OK Zimbabwe was hand-picked as a prepaid electricity vendor.
Chinembiri was testifying in a case in which former Energy and Power Development Minister Elton Steers Mangoma stands accused of flouting tender procedures in the appointment of OK Zimbabwe.
Chinembiri was grilled by Mangoma’s lawyer, Ms Beatrice Mtetwa, to explain why ZESA Holdings management lied to the board. “On the meeting of September 17, 2012 why didn’t you tell the board that the directive to cancel the tender came from the minister?” asked Ms Mtetwa.
Chinembiri agreed that the board was not informed on the actual reasons. “All I wanted was to comply with Mangoma’s directive,” replied Chinembiri. “Documents didn’t mention that reasons for cancellation came from the minister. I disagreed with the minister’s orders but at my level I could not interfere by airing my views.”
Intervened Ms Mtetwa: “Did Mangoma place his hand in your mouth.”
Answered Chinembiri: “There was a hostile atmosphere at the meeting that said no other views were entertained.
“Group CEO and the board who are obliged to write to the minister were there at the meeting.”
Ms Mtetwa told the court that in terms of the State Procurement Act the accounting officer, Chinembiri, was the one obliged to write to the minister if protesting an unlawful directive.
Replied Chinembiri: “Procedures at work don’t allow me to do that. At ZETDC I am not allowed to write a draft or letter to the minister.”
Zesa Holdings chief executive Eng Josh Chifamba will testify today.
Mangoma (54) is facing criminal abuse of duty as public officer charges.
Prosecutor Mr Michael Reza alleged that on 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 Mangoma, contrary to or inconsistent with his duties, directed ZETDC accounting officer Chinembiri to cancel the tender.
Furthermore, Mangoma allegedly ordered Chinembiri to hand-pick OK Zimbabwe without going to tender.
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