adminEnergy and Power Development not to deal with South African firm NOOA considering that it was not part of the approved list of fuel suppliers.
He also said NOOA’s price and logistics involved were not favourable to the Government. He was giving evidence in the criminal abuse of duty trial of Energy and Power Development Minister Elton Mangoma at the High Court.
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Mangoma is being accused of authorising Mr Revanewako to purchase 5 million litres of diesel from NOOA Petroleum of South Africa without going to tender.
In his testimony, he said Mangoma went ahead and instructed him to purchase the fuel from NOOA without going to tender. Mr Revanewako admitted in court that there was a fuel crisis in the country adding that the decision to buy fuel from an unapproved company was the ministry’s decision.
The witness said NOOA was acting as a sales agent for Mohwelere Trading that later received payment from the Government. The court heard that payment was made to Mohwelere after talks with the South African company’s representative Mr Joel Phiri. To date, the court heard, 3 930 litres of fuel have been delivered to Zimbabwe while the other 700 000 litres were being expected into the country anytime soon.
In cross-examination, defence lawyer Mrs Beatrice Mtetwa suggested that that Government entered a fuel agreement with Mohwelere while Mangoma is alleged to have instructed Mr Revanewako to purchase fuel from NOOA Petroleum.
Mr Revanewako could neither confirm nor deny that PetroTrade was a stand-alone procurement entity that did not take instruction from the Government.
The trial continues today with Ms Mtetwa continuing cross-examining Mr Revanewako.
Online Reporter