MBABANE- The Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy has urged the public to verify procurement notices through authorised government channels amid the circulation of a fraudulent tender.
The ministry said all legitimate procurement opportunities and related notices were communicated through authorised government channels, including its official website and the Eswatini Public Procurement Regulatory Agency (ESPPRA).
The warning follows the circulation of a fraudulent document titled ‘Request for Proposals: Supply and Delivery of Reinforced Concrete Diamond Saw Blades’, which has been distributed through email and other online platforms.
The ministry said the purported request for proposals was neither issued nor authorised by the ministry. It said the document also appeared to misuse the name and identity of one of its officials in an attempt to mislead members of the public, suppliers and businesses.
The ministry specifically warned the public about an email address mnre@eswat.net , which was used in connection with the fraudulent tender.
According to the ministry, the email address does not belong to it and is not an official ministry address. Members of the public have therefore been advised to disregard any communication purporting to represent the ministry from the address.
The ministry further clarified that it had not initiated any procurement process for the supply and delivery of reinforced concrete diamond saw blades. It also denied claims in the fraudulent document that the procurement was linked to funding from the World Bank or the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD).
The ministry said it had neither received, applied for nor referenced grant funding from either institution for the alleged procurement. Members of the public, suppliers, contractors and other stakeholders have been urged to exercise caution when receiving unsolicited procurement-related communications. The ministry advised recipients not to respond to suspicious communications, make payments, click on suspicious links or provide personal, financial or business information before verifying the authenticity of the communication.
It said legitimate procurement opportunities should be verified through authorised government channels, particularly the ministry’s official website and ESPPRA. The ministry condemned the fraudulent use of its name, officials’ identities and unauthorised email addresses to deceive members of the public and business community.
It said the matter was being treated seriously and encouraged anyone who had received the fraudulent request for proposals or related suspicious communication to report it to the relevant authorities.
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