Zim GBC News | Gender and Community
Businessman Wicknell Chivayo has issued a robust public defense against ongoing allegations of misconduct surrounding the US$172 million Gwanda Solar Project, citing favourable court rulings to assert his and his company’s innocence.
The controversy stems from a US$5 million advance payment made in 2015 by the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) to Chivayo’s firm, Intratrek Zimbabwe, for a planned 100MW solar plant. The project has been under public scrutiny for years due to significant delays and a perceived lack of tangible progress.
In a lengthy statement directed at Advocate Fadzai Mahere and other critics on social media platform X, Chivayo dismissed the allegations as a “personal vendetta” and challenged the legal basis of the accusations.
“You seem fixated on RECYCLING questions that have ALREADY BEEN LITIGATED and BURIED by the highest courts of our Country,” Chivayo stated.
Addressing claims that Intratrek was an unqualified “middleman,” Chivayo detailed the company’s role, emphasizing its partnership with a global energy giant.
“Intratrek partnered with CHINT Electric Co. Ltd of China, the second largest solar PV manufacturer globally… Do you think such a behemoth of a company would partner with a shelf company?” he questioned.
He further defended the partnership model, stating,
“Intratrek secured the LAND, NATIONAL project status, PRESCRIBED ASSET status, and all the local regulatory approvals without CHINT. That is called PROJECT DEVELOPMENT, madam Advocate, not ‘briefcase trading’ as you allege!”
On the critical issue of the US$5 million advance payment, Chivayo pointed to the judiciary, stating,
“The Supreme Court judgment already answered this issue… The advance payment was fully accounted for.”
He concluded by asserting that his company wins tenders fairly through compliance, not corruption, and hinted at the project’s future, stating,
The Supreme Court also confirmed the contract is VALID, binding, and ENFORCEABLE… The project will therefore be implemented VERY SOON, once financial close has been achieved.”
The statement marks a forceful public response from Chivayo as he seeks to counter the narrative surrounding one of Zimbabwe’s most high-profile and controversial energy projects.
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