CAAZ Boss In Court Over Tender Scandal

Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) chief executive, David Chawota appeared in court on Wednesday facing criminal abuse of office charges after he allegedly violated tender procedures.

Chawota awarded a US$33 million contract to a company he handpicked despite contrary advice from government. The court heard that sometime in May 2013, Chawota initiated a tender process for the air traffic control system through floating of tenders. The tenders were for supply delivery and installation of air traffic control, Radar Surveillance System, supply delivered and installation of navigation aid system, supply delivery of air traffic control communications systems and supply delivery of air traffic control training simulator.

One of the bidders which had submitted bids for the Radar Surveillance Systems, SELEX Es challenged the award to Indra Sustemas resulting in the cancellation of the award by the Supreme Court in January 2016. Despite the Supreme Court ruling Chawota pushed for the direct appointment of Indra Sistemas SA PL of Spain (Indra) to implement the country’s airspace management systems.