VP Chiwenga Calls for Greater Transparency in Public Procurement

Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga has urged Southern African countries to strengthen transparency, accountability and oversight in public procurement systems, warning that weak governance practices continue to undermine public confidence and the effective use of national resources.

Addressing the inaugural Southern Africa Public Procurement Forum in Harare on Wednesday, Dr Chiwenga said transparent procurement processes are critical to building public trust, promoting good governance and ensuring that public funds deliver maximum value to citizens.

He noted that despite ongoing reforms across the region, several challenges persist, including the misuse of direct procurement methods, conflicts of interest, inadequate public participation and weaknesses in monitoring and enforcement mechanisms.

“These challenges point to gaps in institutional capacity, political commitment and compliance systems that must be urgently addressed,” he said.

Dr Chiwenga called on governments to strengthen legal and regulatory frameworks, enhance oversight institutions and enforce procurement laws consistently to protect public resources from abuse and corruption.

While acknowledging the growing role of digital technologies in modernising procurement systems, the Vice President cautioned that technological solutions alone cannot guarantee integrity and accountability.

He said sustainable reforms require ethical leadership, strong institutions and a culture of responsibility across all levels of government, stressing that transparency must be embedded in public sector operations rather than treated as a procedural requirement.

Dr Chiwenga reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s commitment to promoting transparent and accountable governance, declaring that no individual should be above the law and that public officials must be held to the highest standards of integrity.

The Southern Africa Public Procurement Forum brought together policymakers, procurement experts and governance stakeholders from across the region to exchange experiences, explore best practices and strengthen collaboration aimed at improving procurement systems and enhancing public sector accountability.

By Witness A Phiri