Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe [email protected]
THE Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ) has warned individuals abusing public procurement processes by using women as fronts to secure contracts that they do not genuinely control, saying authorities are tightening oversight measures to identify and deal with offenders.
Speaking during the ongoing Fifth Annual Public Procurement Symposium in Bulawayo, PRAZ chief executive officer Dr Clever Ruswa said the authority was building a comprehensive database of procurement participants and would engage those found abusing empowerment provisions.
His remarks came amid calls for increased participation of women-owned businesses in public procurement through targeted interventions aimed at reducing barriers to entry.
Dr Ruswa said some individuals were taking advantage of empowerment initiatives by falsely presenting women as ultimate beneficiaries of businesses seeking Government tenders.
“There are people who are using fronts in the procurement process by claiming to be ultimate beneficiaries,” he said.
“Starting from January last year, we have been compiling a database of participants in the procurement process.”
He said the information being gathered would enable the authority to improve transparency and strengthen compliance across the procurement sector.
“Time will come where we will be having one-on-one discussions (with culprits),” said D Ruswa.
He said PRAZ had now developed a clear definition of what constitutes a women-owned business to prevent abuse of empowerment programmes and ensure benefits reach deserving beneficiaries.
“We now have a definition of women-owned businesses. Let’s desist from abusing the tender process,” he said.
Dr Ruswa also revealed that PRAZ would introduce enhanced technology-driven monitoring systems to strengthen oversight of procurement activities.
“From July to September, we will be enhancing the e-GP system incorporating Artificial Intelligence on gathering specifications,” he said.
The electronic Government procurement (e-GP) platform is expected to improve data collection, analysis and monitoring of procurement transactions across public institutions.
Dr Ruswa said the enhanced system would provide valuable insights into procurement trends and help authorities identify irregularities more effectively.
“So we will be giving a report at the end of the year,” he said.
The symposium has brought together procurement practitioners, policymakers, Government officials, development partners and private sector representatives to discuss ways of improving efficiency, transparency and inclusivity in Zimbabwe’s public procurement system.
