By Pemphero Malimba:
The Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority (PPDA) has suspended eight companies from participating in public procurement processes for allegedly contravening the law.
The law in question is the PPDA Act.
The authority indicates that the suspension is effective September 9 2024.
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The eight companies have been identified as Ele Construction, Evic Printing and Stationery Suppliers, Lloyd Auto Parts and General Dealers, Sino Auto and General Dealers, Let’s build it, Dallas Stationery and General Supplies, L and C General Dealers Limited and Weto Stationery.
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According to a statement released by the authority, the companies will not participate in public procurement processes for various time-frames that range from three to 60 months.
“Please note that a debarment decision is effective upon the issuance of a written decision and remains in force until either overturned on appeal to the High Court or until the debarment period expires,” the statement reads.
PPDA spokesperson Kate Kujaliwa told The Daily Times Wednesday that the companies submitted false documentation and submitted false tax clearance reports, among other allegations.
“The suppliers were submitting false documentation. Some were submitting false tax clearance reports, which is against the PPDA Act as well as against tax laws in the country,” she said.
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She said the decision had been made after the authority followed due processes.
“The procedure demands that we constitute a hearing where submissions are made, they are [then] summoned and their side of the story is heard and the determination is made,” she said.
PPDA is mandated, through Section 6(1) (g) and Section 56 of the PPDA Act of 2017, to suspend or debar or exclude any bidder, supplier, contractor, consultant or service provider who breaches any provision of the Act from participating in procurement proceedings or disposal processes.
