FORMER Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) chairperson Stanley
Nyasha Kazhanje has been arrested on allegations of receiving a $10 000 bribe
from controversial businessperson, Wicknell Chivayo so he does not cancel the
100 megawatt Gwanda solar project which had been awarded to the latter’s firm
Intratrek Zimbabwe in unclear circumstances.
Kazhanje (48) was not asked to plead when he appeared
before Harare magistrate Elisha Singano, who remanded him to November 27 on
$100 bail.
The former ZPC chairperson, who is also a director of
Terminal Engineers, a consultancy, was ordered to surrender his passport with
the clerk of court and to report once a month to the police.
The State alleges that on October 23, 2015, Kazhanje signed
an engineering, procurement and construction contract of a 100 megawatt solar
panel station project with Intratrek Zimbabwe, fronted by Chivayo.
It is alleged Kazhanje failed to declare his interests. ZPC
paid Intratrek advance payments of $1 236 154 for the implementation of the
project. However, Intratrek did not fulfil its obligation and this resulted in
ZPC management suggesting termination of the contract.
The State alleges on January 21, 2016, under unclear
circumstances, Kazhanje received $10 000 into his Barclays Bank personal
account from Intratrek’s CBZ Bank account.
Kazhanje, in his capacity as the chairperson of ZPC board,
presided over a meeting in which it was resolved that the power utility pay for
services direct to Intratrek subcontractors instead of terminating the
contract.
It is alleged this resulted in ZPC paying $4 387 849 as
advance payment despite that Intratrek had not fulfilled its obligation.
The State alleges that Kazhanje was influenced by this
payment to decide in favour of Intratrek.
According to the State, Kazhanje failed to declare any
interest upon his appointment as the chairperson of ZPC. It is alleged he
failed to recuse himself from ZPC meetings that held deliberations on
Intratrek. Newsday
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