Stephen T Chifamba
Harare (NewsoftheSouth) – BUSINESSMAN Farai Jere is at the centre of alleged bribery which involves ZESA Holdings officials, government departments and the Procurement Regulatory Authority to gain favours for his company, Helcraw Electrical.
In a leaked document, it is alleged that Helcraw Electrical has siphoned millions of dollars through tender deals including on the securing of the Mutare Peaking plant which has suffered still birth.
“There are many other cases which I have not documented but can be unearthed if a proper audit is done at ZESA. Not even a single case involving Farai Jere was unearthed because he was connected to people who were driving Forensic Audit and has connections at the Attorney General’s office.
“The Mutare peaking plant is just one of the projects where Jere was corruptly awarded tender. This is a clear case of abuse of office by SPB and ZPC Officials that needs to be looked at by ZACC,” reads part of the document.
According to the document, the company that was technically compliant when the tender for Mutare Peaking plant was evaluated is Pito Electrical but Jere used his connections at the then State Procurement Board (SPB) nor PRAZ to swing the tender is his favour.
“Helcraw Electrical (owned by Farai Jere)’s bid was not technically compliant with the requirements of the tender and Pito Electrical challenged the case at court. Detaisl of the non-compliance are available in records at ZPC and SPB.
“ZESA and SPB did not follow tender procedures, the first envelope was not compliant from three envelope system and there was no basis of opening the second envelope with price. SPB can confirm the proper procedure to follow for a three envelope tender system. How was this procedure circumvented in the case of Helcraw Electrical,” reads the document.
Jere has also been alleged to have bribed the fired the Energy and Power Development Minister Advocate Fortune Chasi which is believed to have been the source of dismissal.
“At one moment he was heard complaining that Chasi;s wife is putting him under pressure to pay the US$150k that he had promised to pay Minister Fortune Chasi, he ended up paying US$50k and promised to pay the balance later. He was complaining that he doesn’t see the role of Minister Chasi because he is not operational. Chasi pushed for the Mutare peaking plant to be approved by Cabinet and was only stopped by the HE after the then Interim ZESA Board member Professor Ashok Chakravat raised a red flag,” reads part of the document.
Jere is suing ZESA for breach of contract through his lawyers is claiming around US$22million.
“The former Minister of Energy and Power development Advocate Fortune Chasi is working with Jere in the background to ensure Jere succeeds in getting the US$22 million. Jere promised to pay Chasi a significant amount if he wins the case.
“Chasi was working with the ZESA Company Secretary Mr Saidi Sangula to ensure ZESA does not put much effort in opposing the Jere case so that he succeeds. That is the reason Chasi is bitter that Dr. Gata suspended Sangula.
“With Sangula not at work the prospects of Jere winning the case are slim. As a result Chasi is pushing to have Gata suspended so that he can bring back Sangula and push their deal,” reads part of the document.
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