THE Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) has blacklisted three companies from participating in public procurement for suspected frauds and collusion in tendering.

Eliakim Maswi, the PPRA director general, said here yesterday that the suspended firms are Dacady Investment Co. Ltd, High Winds (T) Co. Ltd as well as Deaver PVC Co. Ltd.

In a statement, PPRA said that the debarment, encompassing the companies' directors, agents and partners is effective May 21, 2024, to May 20, 2034.

Dacady Investment Co. Ltd and High Winds (T) Co. Ltd were engaged in collusive practices, the statement affirmed, specifying that the two companies were shortlisted to compete for the same tenders while their owners were the same.

This undermined fair competition, the procurement chieftain explained, describing it as a malpractice resulting in a rotation of winning bids among the same individuals using different company names. This method unfairly influenced the bidding process, he emphasised.

In addition to the ten-year debarment, High Winds (T) Co. Ltd was struck with a three-year stoppage for failing to implement procurement contract No. 014/2020/2021/PR/G/26 with the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The two periods of debarment shall run concurrently, he said, explaining the case of Deaver PVC Co, Ltd as barred for ten years effective May 21, 2024. The PPRA found the firm liable for forging framework agreement No. 0068009, which was subsequently submitted to Kiwira Prisons College, he said.

Pursuant to Section 102 of the Public Procurement Regulations of 2013, the decision to remove the companies affects all procurement contracts entered into between the procuring entities and these companies prior to the issuance of the debarment decision, he declared.

“PPRA remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring transparency and fairness in public procurement processes and will continue to take legal actions against any entities found engaging in fraudulent activities,” he added.