Zimpapers Logo

Dr Mbizvo

Harare Bureau
Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development secretary Washington Mbizvo is refusing to issue a duty free certificate to enable the release of a vehicle for Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund chief executive Fredrick Mandizvidza.    The Land Rover Discovery is now accumulating storage costs in the seller’s bonded warehouse. Mbizvo has ignored communication from former Minister Olivia Muchena and her deputy Godfrey Gandawa that he releases the duty free certificate. According to Mandizvidza’s renewed five-year contract signed in June, Zimdef should provide him with a Prado or Mercedes Benz or an equivalent vehicle for business as well as for private use. Mandizvidza has opted for a  $117,437 Land Rover Discovery.

The application was approved by Minister Muchena and Gandawa and the vehicle was bought through the CMED.

In a letter to Muchena dated October 28, Gandawa sought the intervention of the minister since Mbizvo was refusing to release a duty free certificate.

“On October 13, 2014, I instructed Zangira to process and submit papers for application of a duty-free certificate for the Zimdef CEO’s official vehicle,” said Gandawa.

“Zangira submitted to the permanent secretary’s office for his signature in line with the government policy. However, to date the application for the duty free certificate has not yet been signed by the permanent secretary 13 days after their submission. The delay is causing unnecessary storage costs as the vehicle remains in the seller’s bonded warehouse. Your urgent intervention is requested to facilitate the speedy conclusion of the transaction.”

Mbizvo refused to grant the duty free certificate. He wants Mandizvidza to justify that the transaction was not a “waste of resources”.
Mbizvo argues that as permanent secretary, he should determine the conditions of service for chief executives yet the Manpower Planning and Development Act (chapter 28:02) stipulates that authorisation should be done through the trustee, who in this case was Muchena.

In a letter to Mandizvidza on October 27, Mbizvo said: “I request that you demonstrate to my office that there was compliance with the prescribed set limits for purchase of vehicles for chief executive officers of State Enterprises as defined in the Cabinet Circulars.

“Permanent secretaries are mandated to make provisions for conditions of service vehicles for chief executive officers, including other vehicles to be used by chief executive officers, in your grade. This request for compliance is predicated on the basis that a Mercedes Benz E 300 was authorised for your purchase and use following my appeal to the Office of the President and Cabinet in 2011, after your engagement on a three-year contract.”

Mbizvo demanded that Mandizvidza furnishes him with proof of authorisation.

“Please kindly furnish my office with the proof of prior authorisation of the purchase by the Office of the President and Cabinet, including the initial support documents from the Permanent Secretary of Transport and Infrastructural Development, in terms of the Laws, Rules and Procedures governing State Enterprises, Agencies and Parastatals of government. Zimdef is not an exception to this position. “May you further demonstrate in writing and beyond any reasonable doubt that this is not a ‘wasteful of expenditure’ in terms of the Public Finance Management Act; Chapter 22; 19 as read under Section 45, Subsection (B) (C) and (D),” said Mbizvo.

Mandizvidza in response told the permanent secretary that the procurement was done above board.  “I advise that I requested to purchase the replacement vehicle in terms of my contract of employment, which request was granted by the Trustee and the Fund proceeded to purchase the vehicle accordingly. I’m not certain how this would constitute a wasteful expenditure,” he said.