Harare Water Tender Given An Unknown Company Called “Helcrow”
Harare Officials Question Water Infrastructure Deal Awarded to Helcraw Electrical Projects
Harare, Zimbabwe — January 18, 2025
Harare City Council officials have raised serious concerns over the government’s selection of Helcraw Electrical Projects for a major water infrastructure contract, citing doubts about the company’s financial and technical capacity. The Zimbabwe Independent has learned that these concerns were brought up during a series of meetings with the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works this week.
Helcraw Electrical Projects, linked to Zanu PF legislator Farai Jere, has partnered with Chinese firm Hangzhou Laison Technology to establish a new water treatment plant, supply prepaid water meters, and replace sections of the city’s aging pipe network. However, Harare officials have questioned the company’s suitability for the multimillion-dollar project, given its unsuccessful bid to supply water meters in a US$2 million tender in 2023.
Lack of Due Diligence
On January 12, city officials, including acting water director Richard Kunyadini, attended a meeting at Makombe Building to discuss Helcraw’s selection. According to a senior government official, the discussions focused on whether Helcraw had the capacity to finance and implement the project.
“The meeting emphasised the need for due diligence on Helcraw Electrical Projects. Concerns were raised about their financial and technical capacity to undertake the project and the lack of proof of funding,” the source said.
The deal has also sparked criticism over its alleged lack of transparency. Helcraw reportedly signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government without undergoing a formal tender process.
Costs and Scope of the Project
Confidential documents reviewed by the Independent reveal that Helcraw will:
• Supply prepaid meters for 350,000 properties at a cost of US$96 million.
• Replace 100 kilometers of pipe network valued at US$23 million.
Despite the magnitude of the project, officials at the meeting reportedly agreed that such an initiative could not be undertaken by a single firm, raising further doubts about Helcraw’s ability to deliver.
Responses from Key Stakeholders
Farai Jere, linked to Helcraw, declined to comment over the phone and requested a meeting with the publication next week. Acting water director Kunyadini referred questions to Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume, who defended the deal but acknowledged that no concerns were raised in his presence during the signing ceremony.
“I am in Russia. I attended the meetings to sign agreements. Not one person questioned their capacity in my presence,” Mafume said.
Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe and Engineer Edmore Njoma, who also attended the meeting, did not respond to inquiries at the time of publication.
Broader Concerns
This development comes as Harare battles a worsening water crisis, with aging infrastructure and inadequate resources affecting supply. Critics warn that awarding such a large-scale project without thorough scrutiny risks further mismanagement of public funds.
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) is reportedly being pressured to intervene and investigate the tender process. For now, the fate of the project remains uncertain as debates over Helcraw’s capacity and transparency intensify.
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