Zimbabwe - of Corrupt Tender Deals and Elite Enrichment - Case of Beitbridge-Chirundu Highway Scandal

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The withdrawal this week by the Emmerson Mnanagwa government of the tender awarded to Geiger International for the dualisation of the Beitbridge-Harare-Chirundu Highway must be blamed on corruption by the Zimbabwean authorities which awarded the tender to an undeserving company in the first place. The $2.7 billion tender was awarded to Geiger International in 2016 and close to 3 years later, no construction has started. Government has cited lack of progress on the project as reason for the cancellation of the tender whilst the contractor has remained mum. But what could be the reasons for the lack of progress?

On its website Geiger International describes itself as 'a leading supplier of security products, vehicular equipment, textile and housing products' adding that it 'has successfully been manufacturing under license military goods in its own factories in mainland China for over two decades'. On construction projects the company website states that 'our regional head offices in Shanghai- China run significant construction projects with some very competent and very powerful companies as joint partners in the following sectors... ' It relies on subcontracting other players in the construction sector. With no competency of its own, the company has built a syndicate of Chinese companies which it subcontracts for various projects which may entail inflating the costs. A google search on the road construction projects carried out by Geiger International shows only one project - the stillbirth Beitbridge - Harare - Chirundu Highway!

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