The truth behind this “donation” is that the State controlled Zimbabwe National Road Authority (ZINARA) which is funded by levies on fuel supplies and tolls on the main roads as well as vehicle license fees, went out to tender some months ago for the supply of graders for the Rural District Councils.
The tender documents were published by the State controlled National Tender Board and nearly 50 firms responded. Many commented at the peculiar specifications used in the documents at the time. When the tender was awarded it was to a company Univern Enterprises (Pvt) Limited whose name had not appeared on the list of companies tendering for the contract.
Despite objections from several of the unsuccessful companies the Board reffered them to ZINARA from whom no replies were received. When the equipment arrived in Zimbabwe it was from a Chinese Company whose products are not well known here and for which there is no maintenance or spares back up. It is further estimated that the equipment, which will cost over $16 million dollars when delivered, is overpriced by as much as 100 per cent, clearly indicating the payment of significant inducements to those making the decisions on supply.
ZINARA is controlled by the Minister of Transport, Nicolas Goche who is well known as a corrupt Minister. The misuse of State funds in this way is common on the Zanu PF side of the GNU fence but they should at least have the decency to attribute the supply of this equipment to a State controlled and funded institution that has nothing whatsoever to do with the Zanu PF Party or the State President. It is simply dishonest politicking and the diversion of funds away from the critical needs of the Councils for cash allocations to repair existing road infrastructure.
A further shocking revelation is that the graders come equipped with snow plows suggesting that they confirm that the Chinese had no idea whatsoever of just what conditions their equipment would have to deal with in Zimbabwe.
Post published in: News