HARARE-State Procurement Board chairperson Mr Charles Tawonerera Kuwaza has been shown the door after Government has resolved not to renew his contract following its expiry on November 30.
Mr Kuwaza caused a stir in the House on the two occasions in July when he refused to answer questions and did not provide the information needed by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Energy even after he was given time to prepare.
The committee wanted Mr Kuwaza to answer questions with regards to the tendering system used in projects in the electricity sector, specifically under Zesa Holdings’ Zimbabwe Power Company and the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company.
In March  this year SPB  conceded it did not follow proper procedures when it allowed a Zesa subsidiary — the Zimbabwe Power Company — to engage two losing bidders for solar projects because it sought to address national security concerns.
SPB chairperson Mr Charles Kuwaza said following proper procedures would have taken longer, thus frustrating the country’s objectives of reducing power deficits.
Government has unearthed serious malpractices in the bidding system, which resulted in firms awarded tenders failing to complete projects owing to lack of capacity.
In some cases, tenders were being awarded to shelf companies that would then outsource the project and/or seek equipment from other firms after having claimed to have capacity to do the work tendered for.
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.
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 Friday.
