The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has been summoned to appear before the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee on Friday. This comes in the wake of a multi-million dollar tender scandal involving Wicknell Chivayo, a convicted criminal and associate of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
A leaked recording of a conversation between Chivayo and his former business partners Moses Mpofu and Mike Chimombe revealed their involvement in a deal with South African company Ren-Form CC. The deal, worth over $40 million, fell apart due to disagreements over the sharing of proceeds.
Chimombe, a Zanu PF central committee member and president of the Economic Empowerment Group, is also under investigation. The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) is probing the trio.
Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee chairperson, Charlton Hwende, confirmed that ZEC would be questioned in an open meeting. “This week, @ZECzim will appear before the Public Accounts Committee on Friday at 10am at Parliament of Zimbabwe. This meeting is open to the public and the media,” Hwende posted on social media.
ZEC has distanced itself from the allegations, claiming no links with Chivayo and his associates. However, leaked Treasury documents show that Ren-Form CC entered into an agreement with Betterbrands, a company owned by Zanu PF legislator Pedzisayi “Scott” Sakupwanya. This company then partnered with Chivayo.
The purpose of the deal was to supply voter registration kits and electoral materials to ZEC. Reports indicate that some materials have not been delivered, despite payments being made.
Senators have questioned Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube over allegations that ZEC engaged a South African company to deliver materials that were never received. Opposition Senator Sengezo Tshabangu raised the issue, asking why the Finance Ministry paid for undelivered materials.
“There is an allegation that ZEC engaged a South African company to deliver materials for the 2023 elections. The company has not delivered the materials to date,” Tshabangu said. “The invoice amounts to over $9 million. My question is: why did the Ministry of Finance settle the full invoice amounting to over $9 million for the procurement of portable toilets, V11 forms, and translucent light boxes that were never delivered?”
Tshabangu argued that such allegations form the basis for building cases, stressing that taxpayers’ money is at stake.
However, Presidential Affairs Minister Lovemore Matuke dismissed the allegations as unsubstantiated. “The allegations are not substantial. We cannot deal with information which is not substantiated,” Matuke said. “What the Honourable Senator is saying has no proof.”
Senate Deputy President Mike Nyambuya urged Tshabangu to submit the question in writing. He also referred the question to Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Deputy Minister Nobert Mazungunye, who requested time to research and verify the allegations.
“As far as I am concerned, I feel that question is specific and might require time to research more,” Mazungunye said. “At the moment, there are still allegations which are not substantiated. We may need to verify again.”
The ongoing probe underscores the critical need for transparency and accountability in Zimbabwe’s electoral processes. The allegations, if proven true, could have significant implications for the credibility of the electoral commission and the broader democratic process.
As the investigation continues, the public and media will closely follow developments. The probe aims to uncover the truth behind the scandal and ensure that those responsible are held accountable. Transparency in these proceedings is crucial to restoring public trust in Zimbabwe’s electoral system.
This situation highlights the importance of robust oversight mechanisms to prevent corruption and ensure the proper use of public funds. The outcomes of this probe will be pivotal in shaping future electoral practices and governance standards in Zimbabwe.
Source: Newsday
