ZBC rocked by a fresh tender scam

A recent tender by the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) for 33 Nissan Navara vehicles has raised eyebrows at the company and in government amid claims the broadcaster procurement policy does not include Nissan as part of its vehicle options.

ZBC seeks to procure 9 Nissan Navara Double Cab 2.5TDI GD 4x4, 6 Nissan Navara Double Cab 2488 GD 4x2 and 18 Nissan Navara Single CAB 2488 GD 4x2.

“These Nissan Navara are not part of ZBC’s vehicle policy. So there is a scam here. All other vehicles that are being bought are outside ZBC’s vehicle policy. The policy was breached and it seems this was to serve certain interests,” a source said.

The insiders raised fears that the vehicles could be earmarked for the company’s top management at a time most service vehicles were grounded.

The company’s standing vehicle procurement policy has vehicles such as Toyota, Nissan NP300 trucks and Isuzu.

ZBC company secretary Patricia Muchengwa referred The Standard to company chief executive officer Adelaide Chikunguru when contacted for comment.

“I would refer you to the CEO for that. We can’t just give that information over the phone,” she said.

“I wouldn’t know where complaints are coming from. It would be good for you to meet the CEO or write down your questions. Sorry I can’t help you with that.”

Chikunguru said: “Why don’t you send an email to the public relations manager? Send it to her and she will respond.”

Several former ZBC executives including ex-CEO Happison Muchechetere have been taken to court on allegations of contravening procurement regulations.

For years, ZBC has struggled to function owing to a depleted vehicle fleet, poor staff remuneration as well as debts exceeding $200 million owed to parastatals such as Zesa, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority, as well as Largadère Sports and Entertainment, among others.

The company last bought Ford Ranger trucks from a local dealer when Patrick Mavhura was CEO most of which are no longer in use. Last year, it bought a few Datsun Go vehicles.

The ZBC has a history of tender scandals.