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Impact of Political Interference in the Procurement Processes in Local Authorities: Insight of City of Harare

Author

Listed:
  • Prof Bornface C Chisaka

    (Zimbabwe Open University)

  • Dr Shadreck PM Makombe

    (Zimbabwe Open University)

Abstract

The aim of the study was to look on the impact of political interference in the procurement processes in local authorities’ insight of City of Harare. The objectives of the study were to understand the nature of procurement process in local authorities in Zimbabwe, to examine the impact of political interference in procurement practices in local authorities and to proffer recommendations to mitigate the negative impacts of political interference in procurement processes in local authorities. The conceptual framework of this study is guided by three independent variables which were; political interference in project allocation, contract award, procurement legal framework and procurement performance as a dependent variable. The researcher used mixed methods research design and the population for this study was made up City of Harare procurement staff members and its stakeholders. A sample was selected and the researcher employed judgmental or purposive sampling in this study. The study reveals that that major tenders are influenced by politicians. This is at variance with the principle of politics administration dichotomy which provides that politicians are mainly responsible for policy making and not implementation. The study shows that corruption is a major challenge in public procurement because there were a number of tenders that have been associated with corruption and below are a summarization of the some of the issues. Harare City Council has been accused of awarding tenders for the supply of water treatment chemicals to shady and incompetent companies that offered them kickbacks. The study recommends that Harare City Council should introduce training programmes to the procurement officers and also there is need to ensure transparency in the awarding of tenders irrespective of nationality and political affiliation.

Suggested Citation

  • Prof Bornface C Chisaka & Dr Shadreck PM Makombe, 2025. "Impact of Political Interference in the Procurement Processes in Local Authorities: Insight of City of Harare," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 9(9), pages 8521-8532, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bcp:journl:v:9:y:2025:issue-9:p:8521-8532
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Eitan Goldman & Jörg Rocholl & Jongil So, 2013. "Politically Connected Boards of Directors and The Allocation of Procurement Contracts," Review of Finance, European Finance Association, vol. 17(5), pages 1617-1648.
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