Nyore Madzianike
Senior Reporter
GOVERNMENT will require all ministries, departments and authorities to share and consult the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe debarment list before awarding public contracts to prevent defaulting contractors from securing fresh tenders.
Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi announced the measure at the Second Reading of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Amendment Bill, 2025, in the National Assembly.
The Bill was subsequently passed by the Lower House and now proceeds to Senate.
Minister Ziyambi said the reforms closed loopholes in existing procurement laws, aligned the system with constitutional principles and ensured contractors who default in one ministry were barred from winning contracts elsewhere as Government accelerates infrastructure delivery under National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2).
“The Government is committed to strengthening the operational effectiveness of the debarment system, ensuring that all procuring entities consistently consult the debarment lists before awarding contracts and that information regarding defaulting contractors is shared across all MDAs.
“The issues raised demonstrate the value of thorough parliamentary scrutiny. The Government’s primary objective is to enact legislation that serves the people of Zimbabwe effectively, transparently and fairly,” said Minister Ziyambi.
He noted that the updated rules reinforce existing statutory remedies for breach of contract.
“Mr Speaker Sir, it is imperative to mention that such a mechanism already exists in law,” he said.
“Section 69 of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets General Regulations 2018 empowers the authority to debar or blacklist bidders or contractors guilty of prohibited conduct from engaging in public procurement for a determined period.
“The Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe maintains a debarment list, which includes entities suspended or debarred for various infractions, including non-delivery of paid goods.
“I hasten to add that the debarment provisions are complementary to the existing remedies at law for breach of contract.”
The Amendment Bill introduces several key adjustments to improve oversight, accountability and efficiency in public procurement:
Exemptions and Confidentiality (Clause 3): Amends Section 3 to empower the Minister to exempt procurement information from publication when disclosure threatens the national interest, while requiring bidders to maintain confidentiality.
PRAZ Evaluation Mandate (Clause 4): Amends Section 6(1)(b) to add an evaluation function to PRAZ’s regulatory oversight of procuring entities.
Annual Procurement Authority (Clause 5): Amends Section 15(2)(c) so procuring entities apply for procurement authority annually rather than every two years, aligning processes with their financial years and the national fiscus.
Bidding Standards (Clause 6): Amends Section 27(1)(a) to remove the requirement for procuring entities to incorporate international standards into bidding documents where applicable.
