EXPOSED: What Leaked Chats Revealed About Wicknell Chivayo’s Election Tender Scandal

Details have emerged on what leaked chats revealed about Wicknell Chivayo’s election tender scandal.

Leaked audio recordings and WhatsApp conversations reportedly indicated that funds from a Zimbabwean election contract were channelled to senior government officials.More than US$48.56 million from the deal was also moved into bank accounts associated with companies linked to Wicknell Chivayo.

The controversy arose from Zimbabwe’s 2023 elections and a contract awarded to Ren Form CC, a Johannesburg-based printing company responsible for supplying election materials to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.

South Africa’s Financial Intelligence Centre reportedly established that Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Finance paid more than R1.1 billion, equivalent to about US$61 million, to Ren Form CC without an open competitive bidding process.

A substantial portion of the funds was subsequently transferred through accounts connected to companies associated with Chivayo, raising questions over his alleged role in the transaction.

The leaked communications also reportedly indicated that payments were made to senior government officials.

The pricing of some election equipment also came under scrutiny.

Documents reportedly indicated that a central election server was invoiced at about US$1.3 million, despite having an estimated retail value of approximately US$5,577.Biometric voter registration kits were reportedly priced at nearly US$16,000 each.

Investigators examined the significant difference between the quoted prices and the estimated market value of the equipment.

The allegations triggered enquiries in both Zimbabwe and South Africa.

In December 2025, Zimbabwe’s Anti-Corruption Commission stated that it had found no direct evidence connecting Chivayo to the election contract.

South Africa’s Hawks, however, confirmed in January 2026 that their inquiry remained active. By April, a South African High Court had ordered the freezing of Chivayo’s accounts at FNB, Absa and Standard Bank.

His private jet was also barred from leaving the country.

The restrictions remained in effect when Chivayo and his wife, Lucy Muteke, died in a helicopter crash on September 30, 2026.

Chivayo repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

The election tender controversy remained among the major investigations surrounding his business dealings at the time of his death.

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ProfHamo [email protected]