Harare | Revelations by acting Auditor-General Rhea Kujinga have exposed that car dealership Mike Harris Toyota did not deliver nine vehicles despite a forward payment from the Ministry of Lands.
The vehicles are part of the Auditor-General’s findings for the year ended December 31, 2022, which show that government ministries and commisions procured a number of motor vehicles from various service providers during the year, and 74 motor vehicles had not been delivered at the time of the audit.
The Veterinary Services Department, which falls under the Lands Ministry, bought nine motor vehicles amounting to ZW$266 509 040 from Mike Harris in February last year, which were supposed to be delivered after the signing of the contract.
However, as of 26, 2023, the ministry had not yet received any vehicles, in violation of Section 78(2)(h) of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act [Chapter 22:23], which requires the procuring entity to ensure that every procurement contract it enters into specifies the delivery date and place.
In her submissions, Kujinga said:
“This was caused by inadequate contract clauses that protect the ministry in cases of non-performance by suppliers and a lack of proper review of the procurement contract.”
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