FORMER Energy and Power Development Minister and MDC-T deputy treasurer- general, Elton Mangoma has been accused of corruptly awarding tenders worth more than half a million dollars to a Botswana-based company, Norconsult Africa, he has connections with while at the helm of the ministry, The Patriot has established.
The deals took place between December 2012 and April 2013.
The embattled MDC-T official is also alleged to have approved the awarding of a tender to an incompetent contractor, fully knowing the bidder’s inability to deliver, to carry out work for the Rural Electrification Agency (REA)prejudicing the state in potential revenue from power generation.
President Robert Mugabe has declared zero tolerance to corruption which had become rampant during and after the era of the Inclusive Government especially in parastatals.
While serving executives in parastatals have been accused of corruption, MDC officials that manned some of the key government institutions such as the ministries of finance and energy, have also been fingered.
Mangoma who presided over the Energy and Power Development Ministry is among officials accused of abusing their authority embarking on self-enrichment drives.
Information in possession of The Patriot shows that a company, Norconsult Africa, in which Mangoma is alleged to hold shares was awarded a tender to carry out work for ZESA Holdings despite quoting figures higher than other bidders.
“Mangoma,” the source said, “directed that Norconsult Africa do the ZESA Systems Development Study and Norconsult was paid US$250 000 for the job.”
The source revealed that the former minister also saw to it that the same company got more than a quarter of a million dollars from the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) to conduct a power service study.
“The ZERA Cost of Service Study (COSS) for Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Industry (ESI) was given to Norconsult Africa again in a clear move designed to fill up that company’s coffers.
“Norconsult Africa was paid US$299 000 just under US$1 000 of a formal tender.
“These awards,” said the source, “were determined in Mangoma’s office and were rubber stamped by ‘his’ board (the board has since been dissolved).
“It is no coincidence that this work was given to Norconsult Africa, especially when there are rumours that Mangoma has links with that company.”
Mangoma also stands accused of approving the tender of an incompetent bidder to carry out construction of 11 and 33kv distribution lines and substations for the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).
The tender was awarded to former REA top official (name supplied) despite evidence that the official was in no position to meet the demands of the job.
According to sources, REA awards construction tenders after evaluating contractor’s capacity in terms of qualified human resources, availability of transport and tools and finance for wages.
“On the tender closing date there was no calling out of individual contractors prices per project as is the norm on public tenders,” said an inside source from REA.
“The tenders were simply opened and locked away and REA later advised that all 24 jobs in the REA eight provinces had been given to the former official.
“What is surprising is how the former official managed to submit 24 cheap bids in all eight provinces even in Matabeleland, for instance in Hwange, Nkayi and Gwanda where the former official in question did not conduct site visits.”
Most disturbing, the source said, was ‘approval’ by the minister of a candidate who was already struggling to complete a REA project of lesser magnitude.
“This official, who has no known line construction experience and was battling to produce any meaningful work on an almost 100km 33kv project from Acturus to Murehwa for ZESA, so how did he win 24 jobs totalling in excess of 300km powerlines?,” said the source.
“The official has up to now not done anything meaningful on the 24 jobs.
“If the 24 projects across all eight rural provinces of Zimbabwe were awarded to competent contractors a lot of rural electrification would have happened by now.”
Pundits said had the projects been awarded to competent bidders, livelihoods would have been significantly improved in rural areas.
“Availability of electricity would have empowered rural communities,” said economist Hubert Muzikani.
“Irrigation projects, welding and carpentry, among other things, would have become possible, minimising rural-urban migration.
“Education and health care would have improved.”
Zimbabwe is currently generating about 1 200 MW against a need of 2 000 MW and the deficit is hampering efforts to turn around the economy.
The manufacturing sector and mining industry have been seriously affected.
Contacted for comment Mangoma denied knowledge of the deals in question.
“These are false allegations, I cannot comment,” said Mangoma.