$100 MILLION ZEC TENDER SCANDAL: LEAKED AUDIO EXPOSES MASSIVE CORRUPTION

A new audio recording has brought back attention to a major scandal in Zimbabwe. The scandal involves a $100 million tender that is connected to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC). The audio shows a heated argument between two controversial businessmen, Wicknell Chivayo and Mike Chimombe. They were arguing over money they gained from the deal.

The tender was signed in February 2023 before the August elections in Zimbabwe. The South African printing company, Ren-Form, was supposed to provide services for the elections. But as soon as the money started to come in, problems began. A large part of the deal was $40 million, with the total being over $100 million.

Chivayo, Chimombe, and another associate, Moses Mpofu, were the middlemen in this deal. But as the money started coming in, the three of them began to argue. In the leaked audio, both Chivayo and Chimombe are heard blaming each other for not handling the money properly. The audio shows how bad things got between them.

This whole scandal is not just about money but also about politics. Chivayo is known to have strong connections to President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Even though the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) is investigating the case, Chivayo seems to be protected because of his political connections. The investigation includes Chimombe and Mpofu, too, with accusations of fraud and money laundering.

Chimombe and Mpofu are also in trouble for another case. They are both in prison for charges connected to the $88 million Presidential Goats Scheme. This shows how corruption can be found in the upper levels of Zimbabwean society.

There was another audio that was leaked earlier. In that recording, Chivayo brags about his influence over President Mnangagwa. He also mentioned the names of some important people. Some of those named are ZEC chairperson Priscilla Chigumba, Central Intelligence Organisation Director-General Isaac Moyo, and gold tycoon Pedzisayi “Scott” Sakupwanya. This shows how deep the connections between politics and business are in this scandal.

The investigation by ZACC is important not just for those involved but for Zimbabwe as a whole. It raises questions about how much corruption is happening and if elections can be fair when so much money is being thrown around. ZACC is still looking into this, and it may reveal even more about how deep the corruption goes.

The media outlet that first exposed this scandal, The NewsHawks, has promised to release more reports. They have said that more officials could be involved. This could be one of the biggest corruption scandals in Zimbabwe’s recent history.

This whole situation shows just how hard it is to fight corruption in Zimbabwe. With elections coming up, it makes people wonder if the elections will be fair and free of corruption. The investigation’s results could affect the trust people have in Zimbabwe’s democracy.

The public and international observers are watching closely to see what happens next. They want to know if justice will be served or if corruption will continue to shape Zimbabwe’s politics. Can there be fair elections when so many powerful people are involved in scandals like this one?

This scandal is a big test for Zimbabwe. People are waiting to see if the truth will come out and if the country can have fair elections. The future of Zimbabwe’s democracy could be at stake, and everyone is watching to see if things will change.