Harare, Zimbabwe – In a scandal that has raised questions about the accountability of government procurement processes, Burnett Motors Dealership has defrauded the Ministry of Mines of US$193,000 after failing to deliver on a contract for luxury vehicles.
On September 5, 2023, the Ministry of Mines entered into a procurement agreement with Burnett Motors Dealership to acquire two high-end vehicles: a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado VXL and a Toyota Land Cruiser 79 (Kakadu).
The total value of this contract was US$193,000.
Despite the significant financial outlay, the delivery process has been fraught with issues. The Toyota Land Cruiser Prado VXL was eventually delivered to the Ministry in April 2024.
However, the delivery was incomplete and problematic as the necessary documentation to facilitate the change of ownership was not provided.
This lack of documentation poses a risk that the vehicle might remain registered in the name of Burnett Motors, preventing the Ministry from fully utilizing the asset.
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The second vehicle, a Toyota Land Cruiser 79 (Kakadu), had not been delivered by the time the audit was concluded on May 13, 2024.
This non-delivery not only reflects poorly on Burnett Motors but also raises concerns about the Ministry’s procurement and follow-up processes.
The audit, which was conducted to assess the fulfillment of the contract, highlighted several risks and implications:
The failure to deliver the Toyota Land Cruiser 79 (Kakadu) means the Ministry has not received the full value of the US$193,000 contract.
This undelivered vehicle represents a significant financial loss and a breach of contract by Burnett Motors.
The absence of proper documentation for the delivered Toyota Land Cruiser Prado VXL means the vehicle could legally remain in the name of Burnett Motors.
This situation complicates the Ministry’s ability to manage and deploy the vehicle effectively and could potentially lead to legal disputes or further financial losses.
The ongoing failure by Burnett Motors to provide the outstanding vehicle and necessary paperwork suggests a lack of accountability and reliability.
This situation undermines trust in the supplier and raises questions about the due diligence performed by the Ministry during the procurement process.
In light of these findings, there is an urgent need for the Ministry of Mines to take decisive action.
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