CLAIM: Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa has banned the disclosure of state and public sector construction material and equipment, biomedical and medical equipment, drugs, vehicles (including ambulances) and the repairs and maintenance of hospital equipment and machinery under a sweeping presidential decree, according to many local media reports.
VERDICT: TRUE
Under What Law?
In a General Notice, Number 635 of 2023, published in the Government Gazette on May 5, 2023 and signed off by the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Misheck Sibanda, Mnangagwa set out the prohibition order under the Public Procurement and Disposal of of Public Assets Act (Chapter 22:23).
The ban was issued under the subhead “Special Procurements In the Public Interest: Health Sector”
What is the impact?
Commentary across a number of media platforms denounced the move as an unprecedented attack on the public’s right to information, a reversal of the government’s commitment to good governance, transparency and public accountability in service delivery in the public sector, and the procurement and management of resources. Its effect, they said, would be to severely limit the media’s watchdog role around the critical health sector and public infrastructural development projects.
On the government side, officials say the ban is justified to stop what they see as an unrelenting foreign-sponsored propaganda campaign rolling for years on lies, half truths and exaggerations designed to help the opposition win votes in general elections due by August this year.
The Presidential Notice
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