Vongai Masuka

The Harare City Council has been caught up in a procurement scam where officials are fighting to purchase 500 desktops at inflated prices, a development that will see the local authority splashing US$2 million.

Reports from the local authority have revealed that the desktops have been priced above the market value, with one unit costing US4 000 each when it’s actually value is US$700.

According to sources, at least US$2 million has been allocated for this procurement project.
The tender process reportedly took place earlier this year, with procurement officials favoring a supplier that quoted prices ranging from US$3,000 to US$4,000 per desktop, disregarding lower-priced offers.

Market research indicates that a brand new Hp 290 G4 Microtower Desktop, equipped with a 1 terabyte hard drive capacity and an Intel Core i5 9th Generation processor, carries an average price of around US$700.

Engaging in damage control, Harare town clerk Engineer Hosiah Chisango confirmed that he intervened to halt the deal.

“I advised the procurement team to go back to the market,” he stated.

However, an anonymous source within the procurement department revealed that the inflated prices for the desktop computers were just the tip of the iceberg.

“Yes, it is true that we had sourced quotations for the supply of more than 500 desktops. The price was ranging from US$3,000 to US$4,000 for each desktop. Our budget was US$2 million for the desktops.

“Despite us having done the paperwork and now awaiting payment, the move has been blocked. Almost everything we buy as procurement prices will be inflated. There is serious corruption happening, but only benefiting top brass.

The revelation has raised questions about transparency and integrity of Harare City Council’s operations.