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Message: [QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 38958, member: 636"] Anti-corruption Commission officials question Minister James Sankwasa about a 5 million dollar government contract given to his company. Cha-Cha-Cha Management Consultancy received the job without public advertising through emergency procurement rules. The company hired Stefanus Niikondo, who worked at the agriculture ministry before retiring. Niikondo performs the same duties he did as a government employee for many years. Officials worry about conflicts of interest and abuse of inside information. ACC Director Paulus Noa confirmed that investigators started questioning agriculture ministry workers about the contract. Noa suspects ministry officials planned the tender to benefit specific people rather than serve public needs. The commission will interview Niikondo and eventually speak with Sankwasa about his business dealings. Agriculture officials must explain how they selected the company without a competitive bidding process. Executive Director Nghituwamata faces tough questions about her role in choosing the consulting firm. Sankwasa claims he operated as a private citizen when his company won the tender in March. The minister says he told President Hage Geingob about his consulting work before taking the government position. Sankwasa defended hiring Niikondo because the former worker no longer serves as a public employee. He considers withdrawing from the contract due to mounting criticism and corruption allegations. The minister previously called the Anti-Corruption Commission weak and ineffective at fighting government wrongdoing. [/QUOTE]

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