Information Ministry Secretary Nick Mangwana has defended a $439 million no‑tender deal for cancer treatment equipment, stating the urgency of the procurement justified bypassing standard competitive bidding.
Mangwana said the agreement was structured to fast‑track the delivery of lifesaving medical machinery, which could not withstand delays caused by prolonged tender processes. He emphasized that the priority was to place the equipment in operational hospitals before the end of the year, where it could begin treating patients immediately.
According to Mangwana, officials determined that the standard procurement route would take months to complete — time during which many cancer patients would remain without access to critical care. “This is not about bypassing oversight,” he argued. “It is about ensuring that urgent, essential equipment reaches hospitals without delay.”
But the no‑tender approach has drawn criticism from opposition lawmakers and civil society groups, who argue it bypasses transparency safeguards and opens the door to inflated pricing or favoritism. Some have called for an independent audit to ensure the deal’s cost-effectiveness and integrity.
Mangwana responded by noting that the Procurement Regulatory Authority had approved a short‑term expedited procurement process and insisted that officials would account for every dollar spent. He pledged that all equipment would undergo independent quality inspections before commissioning, and that comprehensive delivery and performance reports would be submitted to Parliament.
The controversy comes amid broader concerns over Zimbabwe’s procurement systems, which have faced repeated scrutiny over health sector and infrastructure contracts. Mangwana said this high-value cancer equipment deal is part of a wider strategy to rebuild and modernize the country’s public health capacity one that he asserted requires decisive action in the face of urgent health needs.
Health ministry sources indicate the equipment contract focuses on cancer diagnostic and treatment machines slated for multiple public hospitals, including Harare facilities.
As the equipment awaits delivery, public attention now turns to budget officials and audit watchdogs to determine whether the shortcuts taken in procurement will translate into tangible improvements in the country’s health outcomes or further deepen concerns over governance.
