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By Lloyd Rabaya
The Government has disregarded a document titled General Notice 635 of 2023 that circulated on social media early this week purporting that it has placed procurement of certain goods under national interest.
According to the document dated 05 May 2023, which also had the name of the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr. Misheck Sibanda, President Emmerson Mnangagwa had done so in terms of section 3(6) of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act [Chapter 22:23] which bars public scrutiny on acquiring and disposing of assets.
Not to be publicly disclosed included construction equipment and materials, biomedical and medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, vehicles including ambulances, laboratory equipment, chemicals and accessories, and repairs and maintenance services of hospital equipment and machinery.
In a Press Statement issued by Dr. Sibanda, the president has since revoked the document as the statement read that it was published without authorisation.
“Upon further investigations, it has come to light that the so-called Government Gazetted Notice is a nullity, having been published without authorisation, and without the signature of the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, as is the norm,” read part of the statement.
The statement also highlighted that the document has been repealed as it has no standing in law, in policy, and in terms of set Government procedures.
“Government remains committed as ever in managing a transparent public procurement policy and process, as required by the laws of the country,” the statement further reads.