Chronicle Editor
Online write
TWO senior officials from the Bulawayo City Council, Ashton Sibanda and Sithulisiwe Sibanda, have been charged with corruption related to procurement practices that allegedly violated established regulations.
The charges stem from an investigation initiated by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC).
According to ZACC spokesperson Ms Simiso Mlevu, Ashton (59) a procurement specialist, and Sithulisiwe (54) a procurement officer, are both public officers with significant responsibilities regarding procurement processes for the council.
Ms Mlevu outlined the specific duties of the accused, stating that they were responsible for determining procurement methods based on cost, urgency, and category.
Their roles included evaluating tenders, conducting post-evaluation, and awarding contracts, which are crucial for maintaining compliance with procurement regulations.
The alleged misconduct began on 30 May 2024, when a request for quotations was posted by Sithulisiwe.
Despite receiving three quotations, all exceeding the threshold of $10 000, the procurement process was continued.
Section 10 of SI 219 of 2020 states that procuring entities shall be
responsible for managing their own procurement if quotes do not exceed the threshold.
Otherwise the procurement would have to be done through the Procurement Regulatory Auothority of Zimbabwe.
On 12 June 2024, a second request was re-advertised, and five quotations were opened on 18 June 2024, again all above the threshold.
Ms Mlevu highlighted a significant breach in the procurement process, saying: “Despite all prices being above the threshold, Nokuthobeka Ndlovu, an intern in the procurement department, suggested awarding the contract to Mabanke Enterprises based on being the lowest bidder, disregarding the established procurement limits.”
On 3 July 2024, Sithulisiwe approved the contract for Mabanke Enterprises for $13 501, cutting corners and ignoring the procurement regulations.
“This action was taken without the necessary approval from the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe, violating section 34 of the PPDA Act,” Ms Mlevu noted.
The investigation revealed that the accused failed to seek an exemption from PRAZ for exceeding the procurement threshold. Following the awarding of the contract, the Bulawayo City Council made a payment to Mabanke Enterprises, further compounding the allegations against the officials.
Ms Mlevu emphasised the importance of adhering to procurement regulations.
“The actions of the accused demonstrate a disregard for the laws governing public procurement, which is essential in maintaining integrity and transparency within public offices,” she said
The accused have since appeared in court and are out on $400 bail each, and have been remanded to 3 November, 2024.
The case underscores ongoing efforts by ZACC to combat corruption within local government institutions, aiming to restore public trust in the procurement processes that impact community resources and services.
Online Reporter