A company operating from a Kuwadzana 1 residential address has secured a lucrative tender for a multimillion-dollar construction project in Rusape under highly suspicious circumstances.
The firm, Hurntspine Enterprises Pvt Ltd, was awarded the contract for the redevelopment of the Old Education Building into a multi-storey structure just a week after registering on the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PRAZ) e-Government Procurement System.
A Flawed and Suspicious Tender Process
The tendering process, which was only open for five days, has raised serious concerns about transparency, favouritism, and potential corruption within the Rusape Town Council. The contract required bidders to meet strict eligibility criteria, yet Hurntspine Enterprises failed to fulfil key requirements but still emerged as the winning bidder.
Failure to Meet PRAZ Requirements
The request for proposal (RFP) explicitly stated that all bidders must be registered under PRAZ’s category “Property Development (Urban and Commercial) SP010”. However, Hurntspine Enterprises does not have this registration, which should have automatically disqualified them from the bidding process. The decision to overlook this requirement casts doubt on the legitimacy of the entire process and could render the tender award legally void.
Lack of Experience and Track Record
For a project of this scale, bidders were required to demonstrate prior experience, specifically:
- Completion of at least one urban or commercial property development project under their company name.
- Previous work on a project in partnership with a local authority.
Investigations reveal that Hurntspine Enterprises has no completed projects, no established reputation in the construction industry, and no verifiable experience in property development.
The absence of a company website and a lack of project history further deepen suspicions. The awarding of such a critical infrastructure project to an unproven entity suggests that merit was not the determining factor in this decision.
Unlawful Tender Timeline
The timeline of the tender process is another red flag. Records indicate that Hurntspine Enterprises submitted its bid on Sunday, November 3, 2024, at 12:27 PM. By the following day, November 4, 2024, the process was closed, and the contract was awarded.
This rapid turnaround contravenes Zimbabwe’s Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act (Chapter 22:23), which mandates that tenders remain open for a reasonable duration to allow fair competition. The rushed nature of this process strongly suggests a predetermined outcome.
Additionally, there is no evidence that a site visit was conducted to verify Hurntspine’s previous projects, likely because none exist.
Key Figures Behind the Controversy
Two officials from Rusape Town Council are at the centre of this questionable tender process:
- Mr Solomon Gabaza (Town Secretary & Accounting Officer)
- Mr S. Shiri (Tender Document Preparer)
Their roles in approving and facilitating this process must be scrutinised. Whether due to negligence or deliberate wrongdoing, their actions have compromised the integrity of the town council’s procurement procedures.
A Costly Mistake That Exposes Everything
One glaring error in the official tender documents further raises suspicions. The document is dated October 2025 instead of October 2024. This clerical blunder suggests possible backdating or an attempt to cover up procedural irregularities. This raises critical questions:
- Was the date altered to manipulate records?
- How could the council approve a tender that appears to be issued a year in the future?
- What other fraudulent activities might be concealed?
A Call for Accountability
This scandal highlights blatant corruption, lack of transparency, and an abuse of power within Rusape Town Council. The irregularities in this tender process demand urgent intervention. Authorities such as PRAZ, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, and other relevant bodies must launch a thorough investigation into this case.
The people of Rusape deserve fairness, accountability, and responsible governance. This matter cannot be ignored. It is time to demand answers and hold those responsible accountable.
For further details on Zimbabwe’s procurement process, visit PRAZ’s e-Government Procurement System (e-GP).
