MEC in camera procurement fraud

The recent MEC scam involves the procurement of new cameras to be used for the registration of voters exercise currently underway. The target for the registration of voters is 7.5 million.

But registration technology tool such as cameras and transformers which were acquired through Jazzmatrix an Australian company continue to break down at an alarming rate and has already impacted negatively on the pace of the voter registration exercise.

The dossier says Jazzmatrix owned by Chief Elections Consultant at MEC, Frank Vassalo’s own sister and her husband his brother-in-law was paid US $2.8 million.

MEC Chairwoman Justice Anastasia Msosa, according to a dossier has authorised that the Australian bogus company be paid a further US$950,000 to bring additional cameras to replace the ones that have completely broken down.

Spokesman for the electoral body, Fergus Lipenga confirmed that new cameras have been ordered.

We actually ordered 150 cameras, Lipenga told Capital FM radio.

We do acknowledge there are a number of hiccups, he said in reference to registration exercise.

Global Electronics one of the most experienced companies in the business that bid for the camera tender lodged a formal complaint regarding the fact that Jazzmatrix lacked a track record in the supply of registration equipment but this was ignored by the Commissioners through the advice of Vassallo.  

Vassalo joined MEC on 15th October 2007; MEC insiders said his performance has been drastically poor because his number one objective is to defraud MEC through procurement malpractice.  

This is not surprising because he is a master of Machiavellian tactics. He has mastered the art of fermenting conflict between MEC’s Chairperson Justice Anastasia Msosa and senior managers to the extent that she no longer trusts them, the dossier reads.

It accused Vassallo of accusing MEC senior managers of belonging opposition to political parties and that they have been paid to make sure the Chairperson fails in delivering a free and fair election.

In readiness for the procurement scam, the dossier reads, Vassallo engineered to have the Stores section transferred under him and also recommended the dismissal of Edward Jeke MEC’s Procurement Manager to be replaced by Philip Mwangobole the Procurement Consultant as his right hand man to facilitate fraudulent procurement practices.  

Vassallo was also able to influence the transfer of the Warehouse Section from Procurement, which is now being run by Max Campos the Election Logistics Consultant who is bogus and without the required qualifications and experience.

The logistics of the registration exercise has been ably handled by Harris Potani the recently promoted Deputy Chief Elections Officer and Henzily Munkhondya, the Head of Electoral Services.

Whereas the consultants are required to build technical and management capacity this is not happening they are not on a mission to strengthen MEC. Indeed, MEC staff will tell you that the Consultants are on a mission to deplete the US$28 million trust fund meant for the 2009 elections.  

The consultants have perfected delaying tactics and the trick of not working at all so that their contracts are renewed. MEC staffs are already tired of these bogus Consultants spearheaded by Frank Vassallo who have perfected the Machiavellian trick of divide and rule.