Businessman Wicknell Chivayo has welcomed the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission’s decision to close its investigation into allegations linking him to a controversial US$100 million election procurement deal, saying the ruling brings an end to nearly two years of reputational turmoil. ZACC announced on Wednesday, 10 December 2025, that it had found no evidence tying Chivayo to the contracts awarded to South African printing firm Ren-Form CC for the supply of materials used in Zimbabwe’s 2023 general elections.
The investigation stemmed from concerns raised over the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s procurement of ballot papers, voter rolls and related election materials reportedly worth around US$100 million (approximately R1.8 billion). The deal attracted scrutiny because it was issued without an open tender, prompting questions from civil society organisations and transparency watchdogs about the process and the individuals allegedly involved.
ZACC chairperson Michael Reza, speaking during commemorations of International Anti-Corruption Day in Harare, said the commission’s investigators were unable to find any contract, communication, or documentation linking Chivayo—or companies associated with him—to the procurement process. The probe had been launched following public allegations by businessmen Moses Mpofu and Mike Chimombe, who claimed to have been partners of Chivayo in securing the Ren-Form contract.
“We went to ZEC and asked for the contracts,” Reza said. “The answer was that they don’t know these people… they have not done any business with them. We went to Chivayo, and he said the same. A contract is what links parties to a transaction—and there is no such document.”
Reza added that despite making serious accusations, Mpofu and Chimombe failed to provide any evidence to substantiate their claims. “Chimombe and Mpofu have made allegations, but they have not supplied us with any information which would link Chivayo to the commission of the alleged fraud at ZEC, so that is where we are. We have nothing to go by as things stand,” he noted.
In the absence of documentation, correspondence, or financial trails directly connecting Chivayo to ZEC, ZACC concluded that there was no legal basis to pursue charges, prompting the formal closure of the inquiry.
In a detailed statement issued shortly after the announcement, Chivayo said the decision offered him “immense relief” following what he described as a sustained period of speculation, character attacks, and economic hardship caused by the allegations.
“For nearly two years, I endured reputational damage arising from allegations which the ZACC chairperson has now rightly confirmed to be baseless, unsubstantiated and devoid of any factual basis,” said the Intratrek Zimbabwe CEO.
Chivayo Speaks Out After Anti-Corruption Commission Clears Him in US$100M Election Tender Inquiry
He said the accusations not only tarnished his public image but also had tangible financial consequences. According to Chivayo, several business ventures collapsed, partnerships were put on hold, and banks issued heightened risk assessments that limited his ability to access credit or conclude deals.
“Regrettably, the allegations inflicted severe and irreparable consequences on my personal affairs, including substantial loss of business opportunities and adverse risk assessments by certain financial institutions,” he said.
Chivayo added that he hoped the commission’s clarification would help restore confidence among stakeholders. “I trust this confirmation allows my businesses to re-engage confidently with both local and global partners without the burden of speculation,” he said, expressing optimism that the conclusion of the case would allow him to rebuild his commercial standing.
The allegations emerged in 2023 after a leaked report from South Africa’s Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) appeared to suggest that funds paid by ZEC to Ren-Form CC were later transferred to companies allegedly linked to Chivayo. The companies were reportedly part of an arrangement in which Chivayo acted as Ren-Form’s agent—a claim the businessman has previously acknowledged in various forums.
Ren-Form, however, has maintained that it only acted within its contractual obligations with ZEC and that Chivayo’s role was limited to liaison and logistical coordination in Zimbabwe. The company denied any wrongdoing, insisting that its dealings with the electoral commission were above board.
The combination of leaked documents, public accusations, and political tension surrounding the 2023 elections intensified scrutiny on the businessman, resulting in widespread debate and prolonged media attention.
With ZACC’s announcement, the high-profile investigation appears to have reached its conclusion—at least from a legal standpoint. However, whether the decision will fully rehabilitate Chivayo’s public image remains to be seen, as critics of the procurement process continue to argue for broader electoral and financial transparency.
For now, the businessman says he is focused on repairing the damage and repositioning his enterprises for local and international partnerships, hoping that ZACC’s findings will finally put months of speculation to rest.
Source- iHarare
