Zinara loses US$74 500 in botched vehicle deal, un...

Zinara loses US$74 500 in botched vehicle deal, unravelling procurement irregularities

Philemon Jambaya

ASSISTANT EDITOR

The Zimbabwe National Roads Administration finds itself embroiled in a murky financial saga after failing to receive vehicles it paid for in 2017.

The undelivered cars, amounting to US$74 500, expose potential loopholes within Zinara’s procurement system.

Zinara’s woes began with a car dealership, Duly’s Motors. The Authority alleges they paid Duly’s in full for the vehicles, yet the cars never arrived.

Zinara CEO, Nkosinathi Ncube blames a bank transfer mishap for the discrepancy. According to Ncube, a currency conversion error during the country’s transition from USD to ZWL resulted in Duly’s receiving an amount insufficient to cover the vehicle costs. However, Zinara maintains they paid the full US dollar amount.

The situation highlights potential weaknesses in Zinara’s financial controls and communication with vendors.

Adding to Zinara’s troubles is the disappearance of a US$3 720 transformer, also paid for but never delivered.

Ncube revealed the supplier, who had a previous history with Zinara, cannot be located. This incident raises concerns about vendor due diligence and contracting practices within the Administration.

Zinara’s predicament is merely the tip of the iceberg. Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee suspects a pattern of underhand dealings.

Committee chair Charlton Hwende expressed concern that such “murky tender deals” may be widespread across government departments.

Zinara is now tasked with addressing these corporate governance issues, including irregularities flagged in a recent forensic audit. The audit, conducted by Grant Thornton, identified procurement violations, tender irregularities, and financial mismanagement.

The Parliamentary Committee is determined to get to the bottom of these irregularities.

Hwende assured the public that the committee will investigate not only Zinara but also similar cases across government departments.