WINDHOEK, Namibia – The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has awarded a US$60 million to supply all election materials – including ballot papers – to Ren-Form CC, a South African company embroiled in another procurement scandal in Zimbabwe.
The commission initially invited bids through an advert on September 10, 2024, but issued a notice on October 7 – two days before the deadline for tender document submission – announcing that the tender had been cancelled. It did not state its reasons for the cancellation.
Now sources have told ZimLive that the ECN handpicked Ren-Form CC after deciding to take the emergency procurement route, allowing it to circumvent procurement laws.
Namibians vote in general elections on November 27.
Ren-Form CC, which is linked to controversial Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo, scored contracts worth over US$100 million to supply election materials including ballot papers, ink and tents during Zimbabwe’s elections in August last year.
The company was accused of inflating prices of certain goods by more than 400 percent, amid claims that it won the contracts by bribing senior Zimbabwe government officials. Ren-Form CC and Chivayo deny wrong-doing.
A Ren-Form spokesman said: “The award was based on tender evaluation which saw our company chosen as the preferred contractor and lowest compliant bidder to specification.”
Gwen Lister, a veteran journalist and founder of The Namibian newspaper said Ren-Form CC’s record in Zimbabwe was troubling.
“An explanation to taxpayers on the choice of this company to print our ballot papers is both necessary and imperative,” she tweeted on Friday.
Questions have been sent to the ECN and this story will be updated with their response.
