Transport Minister Dismisses Allegations He Did Not Follow Procedure In Awarding Spanish Firm Tender

Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Joel Biggie Matiza yesterday dismissed allegations that Spanish company Indra was awarded the deal without going to tender.

Matiza said the Spanish firm approached his ministry and the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) to finance the procurement of Airspace Management Systems and Radar Surveillance Systems. He said his ministry and the CAAZ board were granted authority to undertake direct negotiations with the company by the Office of the President and Cabinet as was provided for in the now repealed Procurement Act (Chapter 22:14) under PBR 11089 of 2 November 2017. Said Matiza:

Indra Sistemas of Spain through the Spanish Embassy in Harare presented a proposal to finance the project in 2017. The Ministry and the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe board then sought authority to undertake direct negotiations with the company and that authority was granted by the Office of the President and Cabinet as was provided for in the now repealed Procurement Act (Chapter 22:14) under PBR 11089 of 2 November 2017. The office of the President and Cabinet reconfirmed its support for the project by its letter dated 22nd October 2018. Based on this approval the CAAZ negotiated a contract with Indra and is implementing the project with funding being provided by Afreximbank.

More: Chronicle