Eat N Lick Tender: Rural Electrification Fund Blames Typo For US$600K Mix-Up
The Rural Electrification Fund (REF) has spoken out following public backlash over claims that local food chain Eat n Lick had been awarded a tender worth US$600,000 (approximately R11 million) to provide catering at a community event.
The confusion arose after The Herald published an official advert on 31 July 2025 listing the Eat n Lick contract as USD 603,600. However, the REF now says that was a mistake — and that the correct figure is actually ZWG 603,600, a vastly smaller amount.
“The figure was captured wrongly”
In a statement issued by the REF on the same day, the Fund clarified:
“An advert carrying a record of tenders awarded in the 4th Quarter of 2024 and 1st Quarter of 2025… was published in The Herald on 31 July 2025.
During the compilation of the advert, an error occurred where the total contract awarded to Eat n Lick was captured as USD 603,600 instead of ZWG 603,600.00 as contained in the tender documents.”
The food and beverage order included:
- 5,000 slicers
- 5,000 x 500ml soft drinks
- 5,000 x 500ml bottled water
These were for a community gathering of 5,000 people in Hakwata, Chipinge District, during the November 2024 commissioning of a 200kW solar power plant.
“How is it false if you published it?”
The REF’s statement sparked even more questions online, with critics accusing the Fund of dodging accountability.
Popular X user The Gas Guru posted:
“PR Arrogance 101. Poor, poor communication from REA.
How does the information circulating become ‘false’ when you admit that there was a typo on the document in public circulation? Where are these guys studying really?”
Another user, Enzaaa, asked:
“So, are all the numbers in ZWG, or just Eat n Lick?”
The REF insisted that the procurement was above board and conducted under the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act [22:23].
Despite the clarification, some Zimbabweans expressed doubt over the transparency and professionalism of the REF’s communication.
One X user replied bluntly:
“Your own advert caused the storm. Don’t blame the public for your mistake.”
Follow Us on Google News for Immediate Updates
The post Rural Electrification Fund Speaks On $600 000 ‘Eat n Lick’ Tender appeared first on iHarare News.
