ZERA Justifies US$191K IT Procurement Amid Public Scrutiny
The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) has moved to clarify details surrounding its recent US$191,679 procurement deal for information technology equipment, following growing public interest over transparency and pricing.
The clarification comes after the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ) publicly issued an award notice detailing the transaction’s cost and scope.
In an official statement, ZERA confirmed that the purchase includes 50 Core i7 laptops, 50 Core i5 laptops, and 10 All-in-One desktop computers.
According to the authority, the Core i7 units were priced at US$2,019.23 each, the Core i5 laptops at US$1,505.13 apiece, and the desktops at US$1,546.15 per unit.
The regulator outlined the procurement timeline, stressing that the process adheres to the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act [Chapter 22:23].
Once the contract is finalized, ZERA said a purchase order will be issued immediately.
The supplier is expected to submit an invoice within three working days, after which ZERA will provide approval within another three working days.
Delivery is expected within 14 working days after approval is granted, and payment will follow within three working days of successful delivery and verification.
As reported by Pindula, ZERA also confirmed that both procurement and payment will be spread across a 12-month period.
The phased financial approach, the authority said, was designed to support operational efficiency while managing budgetary pressure and sustaining uninterrupted service delivery.
The energy regulator maintained that its acquisition process was carried out in full compliance with procurement law and regulatory procedures, adding that the upgraded IT infrastructure will enhance internal operations and improve digital responsiveness to national energy demands.
