LEAKED AUDIO REVEALS DEEP CORRUPTION IN MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR ZIMBABWE ELECTORAL DEAL
A new leaked audio has surfaced, intensifying the scandal surrounding a controversial US$100 million tender involving the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) and shedding light on the acrimonious fallout between former business allies Wicknell Chivayo and Mike Chimombe. The tender, intended for electoral printing services, has spiraled into accusations of deep-seated corruption touching the highest levels of Zimbabwean politics.
The contract, signed in February 2023 with South African printing company Ren-Form, was supposedly a straightforward business deal to prepare for the August general elections. However, the flow of funds beginning in March quickly ignited a fierce dispute between Chivayo, Chimombe, and a third associate, Moses Mpofu. The trio, once collaborators, found themselves embroiled in conflict as soon as payments started arriving.
Investigations by The NewsHawks have exposed that the primary component of the tender involved a whopping US$40 million, but the total value of the corrupt dealings exceeded US$100 million. The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) has since launched a probe into the activities of Chivayo, Chimombe, and Mpofu, focusing on charges of fraud and money laundering.
This inquiry has gained complexity with political overtones, as Chivayo is reportedly protected due to his close connections with President Emmerson Mnangagwa and other key figures involved in the scandal. Meanwhile, Chimombe and Mpofu face imprisonment over fraud charges stemming from another contentious initiative, the US$88 million Presidential Goats Scheme.
The crux of the current scandal was highlighted further by a revealing audio leak where Chivayo claimed he had “captured” President Mnangagwa and detailed his influence over top officials. He named several high-ranking individuals, including Zec chair Priscilla Chigumba, Central Intelligence Organisation Director-General Isaac Moyo, and gold baron Pedzisayi “Scott” Sakupwanya, as recipients of payments from the murky deals.
The leaked audio paints a grim picture of the political and economic landscape in Zimbabwe, where corruption seems woven into the fabric of major governmental and private transactions. This scandal not only threatens the integrity of the electoral process but also exposes the systemic graft that can alter the dynamics of power and governance.
As the situation unfolds, The NewsHawks continues its investigation into other officials implicated in the scheme, promising more revelations from the darker corners of Zimbabwe’s corridors of power. The fallout from this scandal could have significant implications for the upcoming general elections and the broader political climate in Zimbabwe.
Amidst this turmoil, the citizens of Zimbabwe watch closely, as the unfolding events could influence their country’s future governance and international standing. The scandal serves as a stark reminder of the challenges Zimbabwe faces in curbing corruption, which remains a persistent barrier to economic and democratic progress.
The implications of such high-stakes corruption are profound, extending beyond the immediate political figures involved to touch the lives of millions in Zimbabwe who hope for transparency, accountability, and fairness in their governmental institutions.
As this scandal continues to unravel, the eyes of the world, as well as those of Zimbabwe’s own citizens, remain fixed on the actions of Zacc and the responses from all levels of government. The outcomes of this investigation could very well determine the path Zimbabwe will take in striving towards a more just and honest governance structure.