Harare Correspondent
*Harare \u2014 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” .<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chivayo\u2019s Defense: \u201cLegitimate Contracts, No ZEC Involvement\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a fiery social media statement, Chivayo dismissed leaked financial intelligence reports from South Africa and Zimbabwe as “fabricated” and “illogical.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He insisted that his companies engaged only in “legally binding contracts” with the government, emphasizing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n“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” .<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Chivayo categorically denied any dealings with ZEC, stating:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n“The Electoral Commission is on record confirming they\u2019ve 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\u2019t party to” .<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
The Allegations: R800 Million and South African Banks<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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 .<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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 .<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Political Motives and \u201cTreasonous\u201d Opponents<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The businessman framed the allegations as an attack on ZANU-PF and President Emmerson Mnangagwa\u2019s government, claiming:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n“Behind these anonymous leaks lies a bigger political agenda driven by self-exiled fugitives and failed opposition outfits rejected at the ballot box” .<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
He further accused critics of focusing on his political alignment rather than legal scrutiny, asserting:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n“These allegations have nothing to do with contracts but everything to do with who I stand with” .<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Legal and Public Backlash<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite Chivayo\u2019s defiance, Zimbabwe\u2019s Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) confirmed an ongoing probe into the transactions .<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, public reactions to his statement were mixed. On Facebook, user Brian Chabata retorted:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n“Stealing people\u2019s money by the pen, calling them binding contracts, is what we\u2019re against” .<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Critics also highlighted Chivayo\u2019s history of controversy, including a 2017 ZESA scandal where his company received $7 million for an undelivered solar project .<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chivayo\u2019s Unwavering Resolve<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Undeterred, Chivayo vowed to continue supporting ZANU-PF and pursuing his goal of becoming “Zimbabwe\u2019s youngest billionaire,” concluding:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n“No threats or propaganda will stop me from standing with the President or pursuing my destiny” .<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Key Players in the Scandal<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
- Ren-Form CC: South African firm at the center of the ZEC tender. Admitted Chivayo was their “agent” but denied wrongdoing .<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Raymond Chigogwana: Zimbabwean banker accused of facilitating R800 million transfers .<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- ZACC: Investigating the allegations, with chairperson Michael Reza promising “facts and figures” for court .<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
As investigations unfold, the case risks reigniting concerns over Zimbabwe\u2019s anti-money laundering safeguards, potentially jeopardizing its removal from the FATF grey list .<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Zim GBC News\u00a9\ufe0f2025<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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