Harare, June 28, 2025 — The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) has come under intense scrutiny following revelations that it paid a staggering US$191,000 in cash for a laptop tendered at only US$800. The shocking discrepancy has sparked outrage across social media platforms, with citizens and watchdogs demanding accountability and transparency.
The discovery of the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) paying US$191,679.50 in cash for a single HP Envy laptop, which typically retails for under US$1,000 globally, came after a government-awarded tender was published on the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ) portal. The tender, awarded to Westville Investments (Pvt) Ltd T/A Omni Africa and published on June 19, 2025, listed the procurement item simply as “Laptop Computer, branded – Quantity: 1,” with the sole reason for award being “Had a valid HP certificate.”
Tender Award Notice Summary
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Procuring Entity: Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA)
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Tender Reference: ZERA/2025/06/19
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Date Published: 19 June 2025
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Supplier Awarded: Westville Investments (Pvt) Ltd T/A Omni Africa
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Item Purchased: Laptop Computer, branded
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Quantity: 1
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Awarded Price: US$191,679.50 (paid in cash)
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Reason for Award: Supplier had a valid HP certificate
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Payment Method: Cash
The CEO of the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) is Edington Tapera Mazambani. He has been serving in this position since his appointment effective 16 September 2020
This unusually high payment was first flagged by a social media user, Freeman (@freemanchari), who highlighted the vast discrepancy between the laptop’s market price and the amount paid by ZERA. The revelation quickly went viral, sparking outrage and calls for accountability, with other citizens and watchdogs tagging the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission to demand an investigation. The procurement details being publicly accessible on the PRAZ portal enabled this scrutiny and subsequent public exposure of the scandal.
The laptop purchase, reportedly made in cash, has raised serious questions about public procurement practices within ZERA and the broader government apparatus. Critics argue that such an exorbitant payment for a basic piece of equipment points to deep-rooted corruption and mismanagement of public funds.
The scandal has quickly become a trending topic on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, with many Zimbabweans expressing frustration over the misuse of taxpayer money amid ongoing economic challenges. Calls for an independent investigation into the matter are growing louder, as the public demands that those responsible be held to account.
This incident adds to a series of recent controversies surrounding government spending and procurement, further eroding public trust in state institutions. Observers note that the ZERA laptop scandal underscores the urgent need for reforms to ensure transparency and curb corruption in Zimbabwe’s public sector.
As the story develops, all eyes remain on ZERA and government officials to provide clear explanations and take corrective action to restore confidence among Zimbabweans.
Following public outcry over the revelation that the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) paid US$191,000 in cash for a laptop tendered at only US$800, ZERA issued a statement addressing the matter. In their statement, ZERA acknowledged the concerns raised and committed to conducting an internal review of the procurement process related to the laptop purchase. They emphasized their dedication to transparency and adherence to public procurement regulations and assured the public that any irregularities identified would be thoroughly investigated and appropriate corrective actions taken. ZERA also highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen procurement oversight and prevent future occurrences of such discrepancies, reaffirming their commitment to responsible management of public resources.
The statement aimed to reassure stakeholders and the public that ZERA takes the allegations seriously and is cooperating with relevant authorities to ensure accountability and restore confidence in their procurement practices.
The ZERA laptop scandal beats the Parliament laptop scandal.
The Zimbabwe Parliament laptop scandal unfolded in 2022 when the institution attempted to purchase 173 laptops at an exorbitant price of about US$9,200 each, totaling over US$1.6 million, and 79 desktop computers at over US$3,000 each. The tender was awarded to two companies, which were later blacklisted by Treasury for grossly inflated prices and irregular procurement practices.
The scandal came to light after Treasury blocked the payment, citing lack of value for money and irregularities such as illegal specification of brands and price manipulation. The Clerk of Parliament and Parliament’s director of procurement were charged with criminal abuse of duty for their roles in the tender process. The Clerk later admitted that the tenders were overpriced and claimed to have ordered their cancellation, but questions remained about how the tenders had initially passed through the system.
The controversy sparked public outrage and parliamentary investigations, with some MPs allegedly defending the procurement officials in exchange for favors. The Public Accounts Committee interrogated the matter, and Treasury suspended payments on other suspected inflated contracts across government departments, prompting calls for reform of procurement processes.
The company involved in the Zimbabwe Parliament laptop scandal was Blinart Investments Pvt Ltd. Blinart Investments was awarded the tender to supply 173 laptops at an exorbitant price of about US$9,200 each, totaling over US$1.6 million. The company was later blacklisted by Treasury for grossly inflated prices and irregular procurement practices. Another company involved in supplying desktops was Mid-End Computers and Hardware, which also faced similar allegations of price inflation. Treasury blocked the payment and canceled the tender due to lack of value for money and procurement irregularities. The scandal led to criminal charges against Parliament officials involved in the procurement process.
