Harare, Zimbabwe | Zimbabwe’s anti-corruption investigators have shut the lid on one of the most talked-about scandals of the year — and the outcome has left many stunned.
After months of public noise, allegations, leaked audios and political finger-pointing, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) says it has hit “a dead end” in its probe into the 2023 election procurement storm.
According to the watchdog, no evidence was found linking businessman Wicknell Chivayo, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), or any other individuals to wrongdoing in the controversial awarding of contracts worth over US$100 million to South African printer Ren-Form CC. The deals — which sparked public outrage for allegedly bypassing open tender procedures — have now been cleared by ZACC, effectively collapsing the explosive narrative that had dominated headlines.
For Chivayo, the announcement feels like vindication.
He described the allegations as deeply damaging, saying they caused “severe and irreparable consequences” to his personal and business life, including disrupted deals and shaken confidence from financial institutions. The Intratrek Zimbabwe boss now hopes the clean bill from ZACC will help rebuild trust with both local and international partners, resetting his corporate reputation after months under the microscope.
ZEC, which had consistently rejected claims of backdoor dealings, appears fortified by the outcome. Chairperson Priscilla Chigumba reiterated that all procurement was conducted directly with approved suppliers — and never through individuals whose names circulated in the media storm. She said Ren-Form itself confirmed in writing that it had no contracts with any of the personalities accused of acting as intermediaries.
“Any statements suggesting a contractual link are misleading and mischievous,” Chigumba maintained, urging the public to dismiss such claims outright.
Ren-Form has also distanced itself from the alleged scandal, stating that while Chivayo was one of its agents, there was nothing improper about the arrangement.
The explosive accusations that had fuelled the saga largely originated from jailed businessmen Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu, who insinuated they were sidelined from a purported election materials deal. Mpofu even went as far as penning a threatening letter to Ren-Form, warning the company of dire consequences to its business reputation.
But with ZACC’s investigation now conclusively closed, the once-dramatic saga has deflated unexpectedly — chakabatwa kuti dzvii!! The sensational claims that had dominated public discourse have failed to translate into actual evidence, leaving the accusers flat-footed and the country watching yet another high-profile controversy fizzle out.
As the dust settles, the big question now is whether this marks the end of the matter — or the beginning of a new chapter in Zimbabwe’s ever-twisting world of political and corporate intrigue.
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