Government Contractors Now Engaging Third Parties to Chase Outstanding Payments

Harare — Government suppliers and contractors owed money for goods and services rendered to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) are increasingly turning to third-party intermediaries and consultancy firms to pursue settlement of their outstanding claims, the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion has revealed.

In a statement issued on Friday,14 August 2026, Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Professor Mthuli Ncube said it had come to the Minstry's attention that some creditors are hiring these intermediaries in exchange for a fee or a percentage of the contract value.

“It has come to the attention of Treasury that some suppliers and contractors who are owed money by Government for goods and services rendered to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) have been engaging third parties to pursue the settlement of outstanding payment claims on their behalf, in exchange for a fee or a percentage of the contract value,” he said.

Prof. Ncube issued a directive to all Government creditors that they must stop using such third parties.

“Treasury wishes to clearly advise all Government creditors that they should not engage any third-party intermediaries or so-called consultancy firms to pursue Government outstanding payments to service providers and contractors," he said.

The Ministry stressed that Government will not recognise or honour any claims arising from these private arrangements.

“Government will not entertain claims or obligations arising from arrangements entered between Government creditors and consulting firms or other third parties for the recovery or facilitation of payment on Government arrears.

"Accordingly, Government will not assume responsibility for any fees, commissions, percentages or other costs arising from such arrangements," Prof. Ncube said.

All MDAs have been instructed not to accept or process any claims submitted by consultancy firms or other third parties purporting to act on behalf of creditors.

Ministries have also been told not to delegate their payment follow-up responsibilities to suppliers or contractors, as this violates established Government systems and procedures.

“Treasury would like to unconditionally advise that officials will not entertain or engage any such suppliers or contractors who visit or call on them,” Minister Ncube stated.

He said the warning extends to holders of Treasury Bills (TB).

He advised them to stop using third parties to follow up on matured TBs or their liquidation.

He said Treasury will neither entertain such third parties nor consider requests for discounting of Treasury Bills, whose maturity profiles were set in line with Government cashflows.

Creditors have been reminded that all matters relating to outstanding payments must be pursued strictly through official channels.

“Government creditors are, therefore, being reminded that all matters relating to outstanding payments should be pursued through the established Government procedures and official channels.

"As such, follow-ups on arrears must be directed to the respective MDAs that contracted the suppliers or service providers and to which the relevant payment obligations relate.” Professor Ncube said.

The business community has been further cautioned that no consultancy firm, agent or other third party has any authority or mandate to facilitate, guarantee or secure payment of funds owed by Government.

The Ministry urged all creditors to approach the relevant contracting MDAs directly and follow established procedures for verification, processing and settlement of legitimate claims.

Domestic expenditure arrears owed by the Government to contractors and other service providers rose to ZiG35.4 billion, equivalent to US$1.36 billion, by December 2025, adding to the country’s overall public debt, as noted in the 2025 Annual Public Debt Bulletin.