Sharon Chigeza
MUTARE– The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has arrested Emily Chibvongodze, the former Chief Executive Officer of Buhera Rural District Council, and Torai Mudyiwa, the head of the Procurement Management Unit.
They face allegations of unlawfully awarding a tender to Leapium Holdings Equipment, a company that allegedly did not meet the necessary procurement requirements.
The tender, initiated by Buhera RDC in June 2022, was meant to procure a motorised grader, drill rig, SUV, and double cab vehicle. Seven bidders responded, but investigations revealed that Leapium Holdings had failed to submit critical documents, including VAT clearance, NSSA registration, and dealership authority, which were flagged by the council’s Evaluation Committee.
Despite these shortcomings, Chibvongodze and Mudyiwa allegedly ignored the committee’s recommendations and awarded the contract to Leapium Holdings on August 5, 2022, citing them as the lowest bidder. Subsequently, Chibvongodze signed a contract with the company, leading to a payment of US$131,687 by Buhera RDC for the grader.
However, the grader was never delivered. Leapium Holdings later refunded only US9,342.00, resulting in a net loss of US122,345.00 for the council. This incident has raised serious concerns about procurement practices within local government and the potential for corruption.
ZACC’s actions reflect its ongoing commitment to combat corruption and ensure accountability among public officials. The arrests serve as a reminder of the importance of transparency and adherence to procurement regulations in public service.
