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Charles Kuwaza

Felex Share Senior Reporter
State Procurement Board chairperson Mr Charles Kuwaza is now jobless as Government has resolved not to renew his contract following its expiry at the end of this month.

President Mugabe only retained Ambassador Buzawani Mothobi, who becomes the new chairman, and Mr William Kurebgaseka, who were members of the board led by Mr Kuwaza.,The new SPB set-up was announced in a Government Gazette published yesterday.

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This comes as President Mugabe’s office will also directly lead the fight against corruption after transferring the administration of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission from the Ministry of Home Affairs to his department.

Mr Kuwaza has been at the helm of the tender board since the early 2000s with his contract being renewed several times, but this time President Mugabe slammed the door on him.

Other members of the new SPB board are deputy chairperson Mrs Vimbai Nyemba, Retired Colonel Joseph Mhakayakora, Ambassador Boniface Chidyausiku, Mr Michael Musanzikwa, Engineer Martin Manuhwa, Mr Davison Norupiri and a Mrs N. Moyo.

The SPB has also been stripped of powers to award tenders, a move necessitated by the discovery of loopholes that could have facilitated corrupt activities by board members.

The awarding of tenders will now be done by accounting officers in various State departments and companies, with the SPB only playing a supervisory and monitoring role to ensure Government entities comply with the Procurement Act and other set standards.

“It is hereby notified that the President has in terms of Section 6 of the Procurement Act (Chapter 22:14), appointed the persons listed in the schedule as members of the State Procurement Board with effect from December 1, 2015 up to September 30, 2016,” reads the Government Gazette.

On the stripping of SPB powers, the Government Gazette stated: “It is hereby notified that the Vice President, after consultation with the Minister of Finance and Economic Development, has in terms of Section 33 of the Procurement Act (Chapter 22:14) made the following regulations — the Procurement Regulations, 2002 published in Statutory Instrument 171 of 2002 are amended—(a) in Section 2 in the definition of ‘procuring entity” by the deletion of ‘on whose behalf the State Procurement Board conducts procurement proceedings’ and substitution with ‘which conducts procurement on behalf of Government with the supervision of the State Procurement Board.’

The Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr Misheck Sibanda, disclosed yesterday that President Mugabe’s Office was now in charge of the ant-graft body while announcing the new ZACC members.

Dr Sibanda said: “His Excellency the President has also transferred the administration of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission from the Ministry of Home Affairs to the Office of the President and Cabinet.”

ZACC had been operating without commissioners for the past two years and in most cases whistleblowers were turned away and referred to the police.

The new ZACC chairperson is Mr Job Whabira, a former permanent secretary in the ministries of Home Affairs and Defence who was appointed in terms of Section 254 (1) (a) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (Number 20).

Other members of the commission are: Dr Nanette Silukhuni (deputy chairperson), Mr Goodson Nguni, Mrs Christine Fundira, Mr Denford Chirindo, Ms Cathy Muchechetere, Mr Thandaza Masiye Moyo, Mr Farai Mashonganyika and Mr Boyana Ndou.

Mr Chirindo was the last substantive ZACC chairperson.

Meanwhile, President Mugabe has also appointed Bishop Emeritus Ambrose Moyo as the chairperson of the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission.

He will be deputised by Ms Lilian Chigwedere while other members include Patience Chiradza, Choice Ndoro, Netty Musanhu, Charles Masunungure, Dr Geoffrey Chada, Leslie Ncube and Godfrey Chekenyere.