DCEC probes BDF-US army deal
Tefo Pheage | Friday July 15, 2016 12:13
The camouflage uniform which comprised of bags, light green T-shirts with camouflaged sleeves, goggles among other materials was a covert deal between the BDF and the US army.
Skeletons tumbled out recently after the uniform was mysteriously and abruptly withdrawn from soldiers without any explanation. Suspicion is rife that someone deliberately balooned the actual costs of the uniform for individual gain, a suspicion that was reported to the DCEC.
DCEC spokespersons, Phakamile Kraii and Nlayidzi Gambule told Mmegi that they were not in the office this week and therefore could not respond to enquiries.
It is understood that the whistle blowers reported that the procurement process may have been unfairly and improperly conducted, further compromising the same. They further said such expenditure could not be justified. Efforts to seek the disputed purchase figures were not fruitful, thanks to the army’s covert practices.
Impecable sources however revealed that the unifrom was purchased through the Special Procurement and Asset Disposal Procurement Committee established under the PPADB Act which also holds that all procurement and disposal relating to disciplined services should remain secret.
According to the PPADB Act, ‘the Board shall establish a Special Procurement and Asset Disposal Procurement Committee and delegate authority in writing to it, to manage the procurement of highly sensitive works, supplies, services and properties, or any combination thereof, however classified, for the disciplined services in respect of which strict confidentiality and utmost secrecy may be required for a fixed duration; and items that shall be subject to procurement through this Committee shall be listed in a Schedule to the Regulations’.
Sources say corruption may have been possible through the use of agents which BDF often rely on when dealing with outside deals which has its own risks.
The uniform saga is not the only one. Recently there was a similar incident involving army jersies. The US Embassy which declined to shed light on the matter last week reiteratated their position this week saying they don’t “have any information to share on this matter.” Since last week, the BDF has ignored Mmegi questions but rather emphasised that the BDF adheres to set legal instruments guiding procurement and disposal of items.