The Rural Electrification Fund (REF) has issued a clarification after a wave of public criticism over reports that local fast-food chain Eat n Lick had secured a catering contract worth over US$600,000 for a community event.
The confusion stemmed from an advert published by The Herald on 31 July 2025, which listed the contract as valued at USD 603,600. However, REF has now confirmed that this was a clerical error, and that the actual value of the tender was ZWG 603,600—a significantly lower amount.
“The figure was captured incorrectly,” the REF said in an official statement released the same day.
“The advertisement, which detailed tenders awarded in the 4th quarter of 2024 and 1st quarter of 2025, erroneously reflected the Eat n Lick contract as USD 603,600, when in fact the correct figure is ZWG 603,600.00, as recorded in the official tender documentation.”
The contract covered catering for 5,000 attendees during the commissioning of a 200kW solar plant in Hakwata, Chipinge District in November 2024. The order included:
-
5,000 meal slicers
-
5,000 bottles of 500ml soft drinks
-
5,000 bottles of 500ml water
The clarification, however, did little to quell public skepticism. Social media users questioned the Fund’s accountability and transparency.
Popular X (formerly Twitter) user @GasGuru criticized the REF’s handling of the matter:
“PR Arrogance 101. How does information become ‘false’ when you admit the error was in your own public document?”
Another user, @Enzaaa, asked pointedly:
“Are all the values listed in ZWG, or was it just Eat n Lick’s amount that was misprinted?”
In response, REF reiterated that the tender was awarded following due processes in accordance with the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act [Chapter 22:23], maintaining that the procurement was lawful and transparent.
Still, doubts lingered.
One comment summed up the sentiment shared by many online observers:
“Your own advert caused the storm. Don’t blame the public for reading what you published.”
ALSO READ : SADC and EAC Leaders Meet in Nairobi to Push for Peace in Eastern DRC
