GOVERNMENT has warned the MDC-T dominated Masvingo municipality to be prudent in its financial dealings after it awarded a multi-million dollar tender to a company that was charging US$3 million more than the recommended bidder.

The municipal procurement board dominated by MDC-T councillors allegedly awarded a tender to construct the Mucheke Trunk Sewer line to Forit Contracting firm at a cost of US$5,1 million.

This was against the recommendations of the adjudication committee, which had given the tender to Mutual Construction, which charged US$2,1 million for the same job.

The procurement board made up of deputy mayor Ms Selina Maridza and councillors -- Johannes Gono, Luckson Mutumbami and David Chimombe all from MDC-T - insisted on the awarding of the tender to Forit.

Special interests councillor Mr Tsunga Mhangami who also sits in the same committee reportedly distanced himself from the decision after the MDC-T councillors insisted on awarding the contract to Forit.

The MDC-T councillors said Mutual Construction's bid was unrealistic during their meeting held last week.

In minutes of the meeting that are in possession of The Herald, the councillors also suggested that the tender was supposed to be awarded to Forit because it was the only serious bidder.