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Mozambique’s Ministry of Finance has suspended procurement procedures for the purchase of vehicles by the Constitutional Council, valued at around 49.5 million meticais, following public criticism and to allow for a technical review of the process.
The decision was announced by the Functional Unit for Procurement Supervision (UFSA), an agency under the Ministry of Finance, which said the procedures needed to be reviewed due to indications of possible non-compliance with rules governing public procurement and the management of state assets.
“The procurement procedures for the acquisition of vehicles carried out by the Constitutional Council are suspended in order to allow the Functional Unit for Procurement Supervision to conduct oversight and provide better technical guidance,” the institution said.
The suspension covers procedures related to the purchase of four vehicles for the Constitutional Council, with a total contract value of 49,494,907.48 meticais.
Public procurement records indicate that the Constitutional Council launched procedures in August related to the acquisition of vehicles, including one tender for a Mercedes-Benz vehicle and another for three Toyota vehicles.
The Finance Ministry’s intervention comes after public criticism over the scale and timing of the expenditure.
Renamo Questions Priority of Purchase
The Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo) expressed concern over the planned acquisition, while acknowledging that the Constitutional Council requires adequate resources to perform its functions.
The party said its concern centred on the “priority, proportionality and timing” of the expenditure, given other social needs facing the country.
Renamo also called on the Constitutional Council to clarify how many vehicles it currently owns, how many are operational, why the new vehicles are necessary and what will happen to the existing fleet.
The opposition party said public institutions should demonstrate restraint, transparency and accountability in the use of state resources.
UFSA to Review Procurement Procedures
The Functional Unit for Procurement Supervision is expected to examine the procedures followed by the Constitutional Council and assess their compliance with regulations governing public works procurement, the supply of goods and services to the State, as well as rules on the management, purchase and use of state vehicles.
Public procurement in Mozambique is regulated by Decree No. 79/2022 of 30 December, which establishes the legal framework for state procurement of works, goods and services.
The suspension does not, at this stage, mean that any irregularities have been confirmed. The measure allows the supervisory authority to review the procedures and determine whether the applicable rules were followed.
No details have yet been released on how long the review will take or when a final decision on the vehicle purchase may be announced.
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