happiness ChikwanhaZvikomborero Parafini
TWO Industrial Development Corporation of Zimbabwe top officials were hauled to court over the weekend facing criminal abuse of duty charges.
The two, Edward Tome and Derek Sibanda, were not asked to plead when they appeared before magistrate Stanford Mambanje.
Allegations are that Sibanda, through the IDCZ internal requisition, instructed Vimbiso Chikwereti, the procurement manager, to procure an SUV for general manager, Tome.
Sibanda verbally instructed Chikwereti that there was a board resolution allowing them to procure the vehicle and further instructed her to initiate the tender process.
Sibanda instructed her to procure another vehicle, a twin cab, which would be used as an executive pool car.
During the last week of December 2021, Chikwereti generated an advertisement calling for prospective bidders to participate in the bidding process for the supply and delivery of the two vehicles.
The adverts were published in the government gazette.
Four companies submitted their bids for the SUV.
And, on January 22 last year, an evaluation committee comprising of Sibanda, Chikwereti, Leni Koni and B. Mushowe was set up to open and evaluate the bids submitted by the suppliers.
Mike Harris Company’s bid was valued at US$109 341, Rally Motoring was valued at US$84 345, Faramatsi Motors was valued at US$81 429 and Motor City was valued at US$71000.
On January 25, before the evaluation committee concluded the evaluations, Sibanda and Tome allegedly handpicked Faramatsi and instructed one, James Chigwende, to process the purchase of a Toyota Prado, from Faramatsi, for Tome.
They also handpicked Croco Motors to supply the truck for $21 750 000.
The State claims that they purchased the two vehicles without following the legal tender process provided for in the Procurement Act.
Online Reporter