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Dr Mbizvo

Abigail Mawonde Herald Reporter
Secretary for Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Dr Washington Mbizvo is refusing to issue a duty-free certificate to enable the release of a vehicle for Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund chief executive Mr Fredrick Mandizvidza.

The Land Rover Discovery is now accumulating storage costs in the seller’s bonded warehouse.

Dr Mbizvo has ignored communication from former Minister Dr Olivia Muchena and her deputy Dr Godfrey Gandawa that he releases the duty-free certificate.

According to Mr Mandizvidza’s renewed five-year contract signed in June, ZIMDEF should provide him with a Prado or Mercedes Benz or an equivalent vehicle for business as well as for private use.

Mr Mandizvidza opted for a $117 437 Land Rover Discovery.

The application was approved by Dr Muchena and Dr Gandawa and the vehicle was bought through the CMED.

In a letter to Dr Muchena dated October 28, Dr Gandawa sought the intervention of the minister since Dr Mbizvo was refusing to release a duty-free certificate.

“On the October 13, 2014, I instructed Mr Zangira to process and submit papers for application of a duty-free certificate for the ZIMDEF CEO’s official vehicle,” said Dr Gandawa.

“Mr Zangira submitted to the permanent secretary’s office for his signature in line with the Government policy. However, to date the application for the duty free certificate has not yet been signed by the permanent secretary 13 days after their submission. The delay is causing unnecessary storage costs as the vehicle remains in the seller’s bonded warehouse. Your urgent intervention is requested to facilitate the speedy conclusion of the transaction.” Dr Mbizvo refused to grant the duty-free certificate.

He wants Mr Mandizvidza to justify that the transaction was not a “waste of resources”.

Dr Mbizvo argues that as permanent secretary, he should determine the conditions of service for chief executives yet the Manpower Planning and Development Act (chapter 28:02) stipulates that authorisation should be done through the trustee, who in this case was Dr Muchena.

In a letter to Mr Mandizvidza on October 27, Dr Mbizvo said: “I request that you demonstrate to my office that there was compliance with the prescribed set limits for purchase of vehicles for chief executive officers of State Enterprises as defined in the Cabinet Circulars.

“Permanent secretaries are mandated to make provisions for conditions of service vehicles for chief executive officers, including other vehicles to be used by chief executive officers, in your grade. This request for compliance is predicated on the basis that a Mercedes Benz E 300 was authorised for your purchase and use following my appeal to the Office of the President and Cabinet in 2011, after your engagement on a three-year contract.”

Dr Mbizvo demanded that Mr Mandizvidza furnishes him with proof of authorisation.

“Please kindly furnish my office with the proof of prior authorisation of the purchase by the Office of the President and Cabinet, including the initial support documents from the Permanent Secretary of Transport and Infrastructural Development, in terms of the Laws, Rules and Procedures governing State Enterprises, Agencies and Parastatals of Government. ZIMDEF is not an exception to this position.

“May you further demonstrate in writing and beyond any reasonable doubt that this is not a ‘wasteful of expenditure’ in terms of the Public Finance Management Act; Chapter 22; 19 as read under Section 45, Subsection (B) (C) and (D),” said Dr Mbizvo.

Mr Mandizvidza in response told the permanent secretary that the procurement was done above board.