By Staff Reporter| As investigations close in on Chikurubi maximum prison inmate (2005-8) Wicknell Chivayo, the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) managing director Engineer Noah Gwariro has been sent home to pave way for investigations into the tenders given Chivayo the total which run into nearly $1 billion.

Mr Gwariro was last Tuesday suspended for 90 days by the power utility’s board so to clear the space for high level investigations into Chivayo’s Gwanda Solar deal. Chivayo has been investigated by ZimEye.com for over 2 years – early last year he reported that he no longer has any money and is now awaiting a bank loan.

The fat belly activist who joined ZANU PF soon after coming out of prison, was paid US$5 million pre-commencement fee for the Gwanda Solar project without a performance guarantee.

So far Chivayo has soiled President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s name as ZimEye.com reveals declaring that he will just say sorry to him and the case against him will be closed. (SEE VIDEO)- STORY CONTINUES BELOW:

https://youtu.be/OqbcQCBRsVk

ZPC board chairman, Engineer Stanley Kazhanje has delivered a letter suspending Gwariro after he failed to respond to questions regarding payments made to Chivayo’s company Intratrek Zimbabwe.

The disbursements were made without a bank guarantee and payments made on the back of payment certificates from the contractor with no work to support the certificates.

Gwariro said that the payments were made allegedly under undue pressure from then Minister of Energy and Power Development (Dr) Samuel Undenge.

While Gwariro is barred from visiting his offices or ZPC premises, Kazhanje said he should remain available to be recalled to resume duties if deemed necessary or to assist with investigations at any time.

The development is being closely covered by ZimEye.com since early 2016. SEE VIDEOS:

https://youtu.be/p-T_CAmrwP4

https://youtu.be/ehMSgIgD_r4

NECI is a Government arm whose mandate is to carry out compliance checks of companies to ensure that the country is not prejudiced through prejudicial transfer pricing, as well as unfair business practices such as externalisation.

“As part of the exercise that NECI is carrying out, may you avail the following documents for inspection – all contracts/agreements entered into with the Zimbabwe Power Company, Intratrek’s bank statements from January 2015 to date, cash books and all other documents pertaining to the Gwanda Solar Project and Munyati Power Station,” NECI wrote to Chivayo.

“An expeditious submission of the above information will be appreciated.”

ZPC paid Chivayo without the businessman submitting a bank guarantee to safeguard public funds.

Clause 4.2 of the contract specifies the need for a performance bond to protect ZPC against any losses in the event Intratrek Zimbabwe defaulted on the project.

The contract further specifies that ZPC will release money only after receiving an advance payment guarantee.

On Tuesday last week, ZPC board chairman Engineer Stanley Kazhanje wrote a letter suspending Eng Gwariro over the Gwanda solar deal.

In his letter, Eng Kazhanje said Eng Gwariro failed to respond to issues put to him before the board that sat on December 8.

He said the board meeting had “presented serious concerns regarding the management and in particular the payments made to the contractor, Intratrek Zimbabwe, with respect to the 100MW Gwanda Solar Power Station project”.

Eng Kazhanje said during the board meeting, two issues stood out, namely payments made to Chivayo without the bank guarantee and payments made on the back of payment certificates from the contractor with no work to support the certificates. “It was your explanation that the payments were made allegedly under undue pressure from the then Minister of Energy and Power Development (Dr) Samuel Undenge, which pressure was never communicated to the board or the group chief executive (Engineer Josh Chifamba),” Eng Kazhanje said.

“In view of the above and given its seriousness and gravity, as well as concerns around it, the board of directors intends to undertake investigations into the matter. Consequently, the board, in the exercise of its prerogative on leave management, has decided to place you on mandatory leave of up to 90 days on full pay and benefits to facilitate the said investigations. The above takes effect from the date of receipt of this letter.”

Eng Kazhanje said Eng Gwariro should remain available to be recalled to resume duties if deemed necessary or to assist with investigations at any time.

ZPC management argues that for five months, they refused to pay Chivayo in the absence of a bank guarantee, but later succumbed to pressure from Dr Undenge.

The former minister has denied interference and accuses management for failing to follow laid down procedures. – state media/additional reporting.