Procurement agency shuts door against Investcorp Zambia, suspension to last one year

The Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) has suspended Investcorp Zambia Limited (IZL) from participating in public procurement for a period of one year.

ZPPA Pincipal Officer for Public Relations, Inutu Mushambatwa, said the firm had been suspended for under-performance of contractual obligations in a tender for the supply and delivery of a 20-ton dump truck to Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia (NCZ).

Mushambatwa confirmed the decision of ZPPA in a statement issued in Lusaka on Thursday.

She said ZPPA instituted investigations into the contract for the supply and delivery of a 20-ton dump truck to NCZ signed on the January 31, 2023 between NCZ and Investcorp Zambia Limited.

“During the investigations, ZPPA established that IZL did not deliver a 20-ton dump truck within the period provided in the contract,” Mushambatwa said.

She said ZPPA suspended the firm for a period of 1 year with effect from 5th September, 2023.

Mushambatwa said the suspension was in accordance with section 95(d) and 96(g) of the Public Procurement Act No.8 of 2020.

“The suspension includes any ‘successor in interest’ including any entity which employs or is associated with any partners, directors or other officers considered as successors in interest,” she said.

Mushambatwa said suspension does not in any way limit Investcorp Zambia Limited from performing outstanding contracts that were entered into before September 5, 2023.

“ZPPA wishes to advise all procuring entities to enforce the suspension by ensuring that they do not award contracts, sell or issue solicitation documents or in any other way invite bids from Investcorp Zambia Limited,” she said.

Mushambatwa further advised all procuring entities not to enter into any other dealings with or communicate with the suppliers except in respect of existing contracts placed prior to this suspension.

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