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for the supply of energy-saver bulbs.
“I am not happy with what is happening at Zesa because they are causing unnecessary confusion by this cancellation,” he said.
“They went for the informal tender and disqualified everyone. The bidders have genuine concerns because they should have at least taken the best two and negotiated with them than disqualifying everyone.
“How can one go into a factory and label samples? Some of the reasons for the cancellation do not make sense at all.”
Government, he said, was concerned with the damage the delay would cause to senior Government officials who had announced that the CFLs would be disbursed soon.
“I promised the nation that there will be CFLs that will be given to them and we also had the Head of State saying the same thing. We will now appear to be liars.
“I have asked Zesa why they cancelled but I still haven’t been answered except that they were waiting for the State Procurement Board,” Minister Mangoma said.
SPB at the instruction of Zesa Holdings cancelled tenders for the supply of 5,5 million CFLs after the companies allegedly failed to meet the technical specifications.
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This will result in Zesa Holdings delaying the distribution of the bulbs worth US$12 million.
Zesa decided to distribute free compact fluorescent lamps, which will result in the country saving 200 megawatts – enough to cater for half of Harare or the whole of Bulawayo or at least four small towns like Gweru, Kwekwe, Masvingo and Mutare.
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Zesa is currently producing between 1 300 and 1 400 megawatts a day against a national peak demand of 2 200 megawatts.
Meanwhile, Zesa Holdings senior officials say the minister has gagged them from speaking to the media on issues related to the provision of electricity.
A source who spoke to The Herald on condition of anonymity said Minister Mangoma had given an instruction that they should not speak to the media at all.
Minister Mangoma confirmed the development but said he had only stopped them from commenting on policy issues.
“All I have said is that they should not speak on policy issues because those fall under the Ministry. They can comment on operational matters,” Minister Mangoma said.
Online Reporter