Story by Wellington Makonese
The National Assembly of Zimbabwe resumed sitting this Tuesday, with the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Amendment Bill taking centre stage during its second reading.
The proposed amendments seek to streamline procurement procedures, strengthen accountability and enhance transparency as Zimbabwe advances towards its development targets under the National Development Strategy Two (NDS2).
Presenting the Bill, Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Ziyambi Ziyambi said reforms are necessary to ensure value for money and improved oversight of public procurement systems.
“There should be value for money as we move to NDS2, hence strengthening the procurement regulatory authority of Zimbabwe is critical. We must assess the procurement process and ensure there is an active evaluator of systems. The Bill seeks to strengthen accountability. Bidders and contractors should go through proper procurement processes,” he said.
Legislators debated several clauses, proposing measures to reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks and improve public access to procurement information.
Honourable Lincoln Dhliwayo called for greater transparency.
“There should be availability of procurement systems to the public to ensure transparency. There are a lot of loopholes that we have to address for the public to benefit,” he said.
Honourable Edwin Mushoriwa said the amendments would enhance public trust and safeguard national resources.
“The Bill will enhance public trust, protect national resources and move the nation forward. There should be a system for all government officials to be able to follow procedures,” he noted.
The principal Act, enacted in 2017, was designed to guide public procurement and the disposal of public assets in Zimbabwe. However, concerns have been raised over delays, limited transparency and alleged irregularities in the awarding of contracts.
Government says the amendment process follows stakeholder consultations aimed at tightening compliance, closing loopholes and aligning Zimbabwe’s procurement framework with regional and international best practices.
The proposed reforms are expected to play a critical role in curbing corruption and promoting efficient use of public funds.
