It emerged this week that owners of vehicles hired to transport Zimbabwe School Examination Council (Zimsec) 2023 examination papers have not paid five months after providing their services.
The vehicles were hired through the government’s Central Mechanical and Equipment Department (CMED) at a rate of US$152 per day, to deliver examination papers for Grade 7, Ordinary and Advanced levels to various centers across Zimbabwe.
This was after Zimsec introduced a new examination delivery strategy to ensure the integrity of question papers and reduce examination leakage.
Zimsec has already released all the results for the 2023 academic year.
The vehicle owners, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they had provided services for up to 30 days but were informed that CMED had not received funds from Zimsec to pay them.
This is despite the College of Medicine’s promise to pay for the services at the end of the examination sessions, according to a contract signed between the two parties, which NewsDay viewed.
The amounts owed, somewhat approaching US$4,000, were to be paid in local currency and at the prevailing interbank rate.
“CMED will pay the Hire Fees in respect of the Vehicle(s) either at the end of the Program or monthly into the bank accounts provided herein within a reasonable time frame. (Withholding tax of 30% will be deducted from all payments due to the Contractor unless a valid Tax Clearance Certificate is obtained effect).
“If the service provided by the Contractor’s vehicle or driver is found to be unsatisfactory, CMED shall have the right to terminate the contract in whole or in part under this contract,” part of the contract reads.
When contacted for comment, Zimsec spokesperson Nicolette Dlamini said CMED had received the funds and “will continue to receive funds” as there is an ongoing business partnership between the parastatals.
“How or who they pay after we have transferred the money is not Zimsec’s business. CMED and Zimsec are parastatals that are involved in ongoing business partnerships.
CMED spokesperson Tarisai Muzurure said Zimsec had paid part of the service providers’ dues while some were yet to receive their dues.
“We have a strong working relationship with our support services and all our operations are conducted transparently. Every business agreement we enter into with our stakeholders is bound by a contractual agreement which we respect to the satisfaction of the parties involved.
“We have a good working relationship with Zimsec and any other government institution by providing reputable and unparalleled quality services.
“CMED received partial payment for the service provided to Zimsec. However, funds were disbursed to support service providers in accordance with the portion received.
Muzurure said they were communicating with Zimsec regarding payment of the balance.
“We promise our support providers to settle our obligations as soon as possible once final payment is received.” Newsday
