Chivayo meltdown deepens mystery over R800m ZEC windfall

Flamboyant businessman Wicknell Chivayo has sparked fresh controversy following a bizarre outburst dismissing growing questions over alleged multimillion-rand payments linked to Zimbabwe's 2023 election contract.

In a phone call with The Zimbabwe Independent, Chivayo rejected any obligation to explain the source of the funds, saying: "I am not your relative, I don't owe you anything," before hanging up.

The tirade, far from clearing the air, has only intensified scrutiny over claims that R800 million ended up in accounts linked to Chivayo from a contract awarded to Ren-form CC — a South African company hired to supply election materials for the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).

As first revealed by The Independent, South Africa's Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) has flagged the transaction trail as "suspicious" and forwarded its findings to local and Zimbabwean authorities. The FIC says Ren-form received over R1,2 billion from Zimbabwe's Ministry of Finance, with a significant chunk allegedly funneled to Chivayo-linked firms including Intratrek Holdings and Dolintel Trading Enterprise.

"There is no crime. There is no complainant. There is no missing money," Chivayo declared in a video posted online earlier this week, claiming he has no business dealings with ZEC — a claim that contradicts FIC's detailed findings.

Observers have dismissed his response as evasive and provocative, warning that the real issue is not his defiant tone but the lack of public accountability over the use of taxpayer funds.

"Rega kundifonera kunge ndine hukama newe," Chivayo snapped during the call. "Usandifonere kunge ndine chikwereti chako." ("Don't call me as if I'm your relative or owe you money.")

Critics say the FIC report, which alleges "layering" of funds and possible money laundering, raises serious questions about public procurement integrity. The report also alleges Chivayo moved R36 million from his personal account to acquire luxury cars and that another firm, Edenbreeze, received R156 million from Zimbabwe's Treasury.

Despite the explosive allegations, Zimbabwean authorities have remained largely silent.

The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc), which reportedly received the FIC dossier, has not commented. The Zimbabwean Financial Intelligence Unit also declined to respond to media questions.

South Africa's elite crime-busting unit, the Hawks, confirmed to The Independent that the case is now a top priority. Ren-form, meanwhile, has denied wrongdoing through its lawyers, insisting the ZEC contract was lawful.

"Our client did not engage in any unlawful activities or money laundering," said a statement from Mathopo Attorneys. "These allegations are false and defamatory."

Back in Zimbabwe, the silence from officials has been deafening. Treasury, ZEC, and other key institutions continue to stonewall inquiries. Finance Ministry permanent secretary George Guvamatanga has referred all questions back to ZEC.

ZEC deputy chairperson Rodney Kiwa has openly clashed with journalists over the issue. "We won't issue a press statement. Drop this issue," he said curtly.

Zacc previously confirmed it was investigating Chivayo, along with associates Moses Mpofu and Mike Chimombe, in a separate US$9,2 million Harare City Council scandal. But progress in that case remains unclear.

The growing storm threatens to undermine Zimbabwe's electoral credibility, with critics calling for full transparency over the controversial contract for ballot papers, servers, biometric kits, and other polling materials.

Chivayo's rant may have been intended as defiance — but instead, it has ignited even greater public demand for answers. As cross-border investigations widen, his self-congratulatory tone appears increasingly detached from the gravity of the accusations.