Wicknell Chivayo is a name many people in Zimbabwe already know. He is famous for showing off money, expensive cars, and close links with powerful politicians. He often brags about his success and his friendship with President Emmerson Mnangagwa. For a long time, he acted like he was untouchable. But today, his name is at the centre of a shocking scandal involving money meant for Zimbabwe’s 2023 elections. This scandal shows, once again, how ZANU PF treats public money like private property.
The story starts with a tender to supply election materials. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission gave the contract to a South African company called Ren-Form CC. The total amount paid was R1.2 billion, which is about sixty six million United States dollars. From this huge amount, Chivayo received R800 million, which is more than forty million United States dollars. This alone should worry every citizen who cares about free and fair elections.
What makes this matter worse is that Chivayo did not win the tender himself. He was not even officially part of the contract. Yet the money still found its way into companies and groups linked to him. This raises serious questions. Who authorised these payments? Why was he paid such a large amount of money? What services did he provide? These are the questions Zimbabweans are asking, and they deserve honest answers.
When the scandal became public, it was first reported by investigative journalists. Soon after, South African authorities also took interest. The Financial Intelligence Centre in South Africa began to investigate the flow of money. There are now reports of suspicious bank transfers and possible money laundering. This is no longer gossip. It is a serious investigation involving two countries.
Chivayo responded by posting a long message on social media. He said he did nothing wrong. He said people are jealous of his success. He called himself a hard working businessman. He even mocked critics by saying they should go to night school if they do not understand contracts. But his message did not clear his name. Instead, it made many people more suspicious. His tone was angry and defensive, not calm and confident.
He also claimed he never worked with the electoral commission. But this only deepened the confusion. If he had nothing to do with the tender, why did his companies receive over forty million dollars linked to it? He said there is no missing money and no crime. Yet investigations are still ongoing. Authorities are following the money, and the public is watching closely.
As usual, Chivayo blamed everyone except himself. He blamed the media. He blamed people in exile. He blamed the opposition. He said the scandal is a political attack. But he never answered the most important question. Why did he get paid from a deal he was not part of?
Zimbabweans are exhausted. They are tired of corruption and lies. They are tired of elections being turned into money making projects for the powerful. While hospitals lack medicine, schools lack books, and roads are falling apart, a few connected individuals are becoming millionaires overnight. This is the true face of ZANU PF rule.
This scandal is bigger than one man. It shows how state institutions are abused to protect friends and reward loyalty. It shows why Zimbabwe remains poor despite its wealth. Investigations will continue, and the truth will come out. Justice may be slow, but it will arrive. Makatangirwa neDare, Wicknell.