THE Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) last week arrested acting Gweru town clerk Vakai Chikwekwe for alleged criminal abuse of office.
Chikwekwe was granted $100 000 bail on Friday when he appeared in court.
He is accused of flouting public procurement act regulations after awarding tenders to three private companies to develop Mkoba 21 residential stands.
Allegations are that council advertised for tender bids on March 29, 2020 to develop Mkoba 21 residential stands.
Eight prospective bidders submitted their documents and on June 30 of the same year a technical evaluation committee recommended that Sheasham Investments, Casas and Wackdrice be awarded the tenders.
According to Zacc, on July 3, 2020 the procurement management unit committee chaired by Chikwekwe approved the recommendation by the technical evaluation committee.
Furthermore the procurement management unit committee recommended that the tender be submitted to the special procurement oversight committee.
Chikwekwe then submitted the tender documents to the committee for review on July 29, 2020.
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It is, however, alleged that Chikwekwe, without getting clearance from the oversight committee on the documents he had earlier submitted for review, proceeded to award contracts to the three companies on August 18, 2020, in contravention of section 94 (3) of the Public Procurement and Disposal of the Public Assets Act.
It is further stated that on August 20, 2020, the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe wrote to Chikwekwe directing him to collect bids, external bid validity, correct the evaluation reports and submit the revised evaluation reports which showed that the oversight committee had not certified the awarding of the contracts to the three land developers.
Zacc alleges that Chikwekwe acted inconsistent or contrary to his duties as accounting officer of the City of Gweru.
As part of his bail conditions, Chikwekwe was ordered not to interfere with witnesses who include city assistant engineer Praymore Mhlanga, a Zvidzai, former procurement manager and Tapiwa Hove, a legal manager with the commission.
