Zinara boss jailed for unproceedurally awarding co...

Zinara boss jailed for unproceedurally awarding contract

ZINARA throws City of Harare under the bus – ZBC NEWS

Zim Now Writer

Former Zimbabwe National Roads Administration CEO Saston Muzenda has been slapped with 30 months imprisonment after unlawfully awarding Ex-Combatants Security Company an extension to their contract.

The 48-year-old was charged with criminal abuse of office and initially given 36 months, six of which were scrapped on condition of good behaviour.

Muzenda is said to have signed an addendum on behalf of Zinara extending Ex-Combatant Security’s contract despite the fact that Modern Security Company and Real Star Security Company had been procedurally awarded the tender to provide services to ZINARA.

It is alleged that Ex-Combatants Security Company had previously been awarded a four months extension to their contract as tender procedures for the incoming companies were not yet completed.

However, when the extension period lapsed ZINARA, being represented by Muzenda, did not terminate the contract.

The accused person went on to write a letter to the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe seeking the extension of the contract for a further 12 months.

This was unlawful and unexpected of the accused person who held a public office at the time. ZINARA had to make payments amounting to ZWD300 948 to Ex- Combatants Security after receiving a letter from PRAZ instructing them to terminate their contract with the security company.

When PRAZ sought to have sight of the current contract between ZINARA and Ex-Combatants Security Company they found that he had already extended the contract without authority from PRAZ.