Wicknell Chivayo’s state tenders under spotlight… questions raised over public procurement and accountability
The state-linked business dealings of late businessman Wicknell Chivayo remain under scrutiny, with the troubled Gwanda solar project and a controversial US$100 million-plus election-materials procurement highlighting concerns over transparency, accountability and value for public money.
However, the two cases produced different outcomes, with Chivayo acquitted of fraud in the Gwanda matter, while the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) closed its investigation into the election-materials allegations in December 2025, saying it had found no evidence linking him to a contract or business transaction with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).
*Gwanda solar project: A decade of delays*
Awarded in 2014 to Chivayo’s company, Intratrek Zimbabwe, the 100-megawatt Gwanda solar project was initially valued at approximately US$172 million.
ZESA released a US$5 million advance in 2015, but progress became contentious. In 2018, the Zimbabwe Power Company cancelled the contract, alleging that Intratrek had failed to meet agreed targets.
The dispute ended up in court, with the High Court ordering ZESA in 2023 to perform the contract or pay Intratrek US$22 million. ZESA’s appeal was dismissed, while Chivayo was acquitted of fraud.
In 2026, the project returned to the spotlight after ZPC reportedly issued a notice to proceed, with completion expected within 24 months. The contract value was renegotiated to below US$132 million.
The revival has renewed questions about project monitoring, mobilisation payments and whether the long-delayed investment will finally deliver electricity to Zimbabweans.
*Election tender: ZACC clears Chivayo of link*
The second controversy involved election materials reportedly worth more than US$100 million, with contracts awarded to South African printing company Ren-Form CC without an open tender process.
Former associates Moses Mpofu and Mike Chimombe alleged that Chivayo, through Better Brands Security, was linked to Ren-Form and that invoices had been inflated.
Reports of financial transfers involving companies linked to Chivayo further fuelled public debate. However, ZEC and Ren-Form denied having a contractual relationship with him.
In December 2025, ZACC closed its investigation, stating that it had found no contract, paper trail or business transaction linking Chivayo to ZEC. The commission also said the complainants had failed to provide evidence connecting him to the alleged fraud.
The outcome dealt a significant blow to allegations against Chivayo, although broader questions about the procurement process and value for money remain.
Importantly, the absence of an open tender does not, on its own, prove criminal corruption.
*The bigger question: Where is the accountability?*
The two controversies highlight different issues. The Gwanda dispute centres on years of delays, contractual obligations and the project’s eventual revival, while the election-materials case raises questions about procurement transparency and the handling of high-value public contracts.
Neither case establishes criminal wrongdoing by Chivayo.
His death does not, however, remove the need for scrutiny of the contracts and the institutions responsible for overseeing them.
**The ultimate test is whether public money was properly managed, contractual obligations were enforced and Zimbabweans received value for money.**
For Gwanda, that means delivering the promised electricity. For election-related procurement, it means ensuring that contract awards, payments and financial records can withstand independent scrutiny.
The unanswered questions now demand documentary evidence, transparent reporting and effective oversight — not allegations alone. *_-Various_*
