By Correspondent
Former Local Government Permanent Secretary Zvinechimwe Churu has been dragged into Masvingo Town Clerk Edward Mukaratirwa’s Prado scandal after allegations that he approved the deal.
Details from Masvingo’s June Full Council have exonerated the Engineer who was recently arrested over the car deal.
The Case
Council recently procured a motor vehicle Prado VX-L from a local car dealer at ZWL27,4 million.
However, the Minister of Local Government had authorized the procurement of a vehicle at a cost of US$109 15.
This translated to ZWL$1 million on the date of purchase.
However, Council procured this vehicle at a cost of ZWL27,4 million.
Which translated to US$251 816 (27362400/108.666) using the RBZ mid-rate on that date.
The arrangement resulted in Masvingo losing over US$140 000 which could have been averted.
The deal has resulted in the arresting of Mukaratirwa.
However, Council contends that everything was done above board.
“It was explained that the procurement of the Land Cruiser Prado was done after the granting of authority by the Permanent Secretary for Local Government.
“The price of UD$109 151 which was provided to the Minister on application was indicative so that the Minister would have an appreciation of the cost of the vehicle.
“The proper procurement process was duly followed through competitive bidding and the authorise model of vehicle was procured.
On the reason why one bidder with a lower cost was rejected Council says it had asked for quotations in ZWL$.
“The funding which was available to procure the vehicle was the local currency.
“Therefore our bidding document requested bidders to bid in local currency which was available.
However, Churu is no longer at the Ministry after he was removed by President Mnangagwa.
He is now the Deputy Chief Secretary for Finance, Administration and Human Resources in the Office of the President and Cabinet.
