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tenders to foreign companies, in the process frustrating the indigenisation and economic empowerment drive.

This comes in the wake of the SPB awarding a South African company a tender to supply Zesa with about three million energy saver bulbs.
Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment Minister Saviour Kasukuwere recently said his ministry was working on a Statutory Instrument on procurement that would compel the SPB to give local companies first preference when awarding tenders.

AAG Harare province chairman, Mr Liberty Bizure said there was need for Government to urgently move in to stop the SPB from frustrating indigenisation. He said the procurement policy would be the best tool to stop foreigners from being awarded tenders.
“Is it a coincidence that Zesa and other companies always put specifications for tenders that can only be met by foreign companies?” Mr Bizure queried.

“As the AAG we want to know why tenders end up being awarded to foreigners when locals have the capacity to supply the products.
“We are not surprised because we know there are others in Cabinet who don’t support indigenisation and the people in SPB follow those.”

Mr Bizure said there was need for the SPB to consult empowerment pressure groups before awarding tenders so that they make their input.
Upfumi Kuvadiki president, Mr Scott Sakupwanya said local companies continued to be deprived even when they have capacity to deliver the required products.

“This nonsense cannot continue for good. It has to come to an end because our indigenous business people also deserve to be awarded these tenders when they have capacity,” he said.

Other countries in the region like South Africa have since made an undertaking that all state enterprises, public entities, local and provincial governments will align themselves to the new procurement policy that compels them to buy from citizens.