Harare Correspondent
*Harare — Controversial businessman and ZANU-PF ally Sir Wicknell Chivayo has vehemently denied allegations of corruption and money laundering tied to a R800 million (US$44 million) Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) tender scandal, calling the claims a “manufactured political narrative” orchestrated by opposition forces and exiled “fugitives from justice” .
Chivayo’s Defense: “Legitimate Contracts, No ZEC Involvement”
In a fiery social media statement, Chivayo dismissed leaked financial intelligence reports from South Africa and Zimbabwe as “fabricated” and “illogical.”
He insisted that his companies engaged only in “legally binding contracts” with the government, emphasizing:
“Executing a contract with the Government and receiving payment is very common practice and can never be seen as a crime. The mere fact that the contract price runs into millions is neither evidence of criminality nor a basis to allege corruption” .
Chivayo categorically denied any dealings with ZEC, stating:
“The Electoral Commission is on record confirming they’ve had no contractual relationship with me whatsoever. It is utterly illogical, if not stupid, to suggest I benefited from inflated payments on contracts I wasn’t party to” .
The Allegations: R800 Million and South African Banks
The scandal centers on a R1.2 billion (US$66 million) tender awarded to South African printing firm Ren-Form CC for election materials in 2023. Leaked documents allege that R800 million of these funds flowed to Chivayo-linked accounts via South African banks (FNB, Standard Bank, Absa) and money transfer networks . A Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) report flagged “suspicious layering activities,” including luxury purchases and rapid cross-border transfers, suggesting possible money laundering .
Chivayo dismissed the leaks as “selectively weaponized” and accused critics of ignorance about public procurement processes, sarcastically offering to pay for their “night school” education .
Political Motives and “Treasonous” Opponents
The businessman framed the allegations as an attack on ZANU-PF and President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government, claiming:
“Behind these anonymous leaks lies a bigger political agenda driven by self-exiled fugitives and failed opposition outfits rejected at the ballot box” .
He further accused critics of focusing on his political alignment rather than legal scrutiny, asserting:
“These allegations have nothing to do with contracts but everything to do with who I stand with” .
Legal and Public Backlash
Despite Chivayo’s defiance, Zimbabwe’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) confirmed an ongoing probe into the transactions .
Meanwhile, public reactions to his statement were mixed. On Facebook, user Brian Chabata retorted:
“Stealing people’s money by the pen, calling them binding contracts, is what we’re against” .
Critics also highlighted Chivayo’s history of controversy, including a 2017 ZESA scandal where his company received $7 million for an undelivered solar project .
Chivayo’s Unwavering Resolve
Undeterred, Chivayo vowed to continue supporting ZANU-PF and pursuing his goal of becoming “Zimbabwe’s youngest billionaire,” concluding:
“No threats or propaganda will stop me from standing with the President or pursuing my destiny” .
Key Players in the Scandal
- Ren-Form CC: South African firm at the center of the ZEC tender. Admitted Chivayo was their “agent” but denied wrongdoing .
- Raymond Chigogwana: Zimbabwean banker accused of facilitating R800 million transfers .
- ZACC: Investigating the allegations, with chairperson Michael Reza promising “facts and figures” for court .
As investigations unfold, the case risks reigniting concerns over Zimbabwe’s anti-money laundering safeguards, potentially jeopardizing its removal from the FATF grey list .
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