Chivayo’s shadowy IMC appoints new MD to drive Starlink roll out in Zimbabwe
HARARE – IMC Communications, a shadowy company linked to controversial businessman and ex-convict Wicknell Chivayo contracted to distribute Starlink in Zimbabwe, has appointed seasoned tech executive Denny Marandure as its Managing Director.
Marandure joins IMC from Liquid Intelligent Technologies, where he served as CEO of the company’s Tanzania and Zanzibar division since 2021.
Previously, he was CEO of ZOL (now Liquid Home) from 2014 to 2019. IMC selected Marandure due to his experience in rolling out fibre-to-the-home in Zimbabwe during his tenure at ZOL.
“Denny brings immense passion, value, unique leadership qualities, and energy to the internet service sector,” IMC stated.
“Under his leadership, we have no doubt that Starlink will revolutionize the ISP sector in Zimbabwe and play a pivotal role in achieving the country’s Vision 2030, as outlined by President Mnangagwa.”
IMC plans to commence selling Starlink kits in Zimbabwe in the third quarter of 2024.
IMC was relatively unknown in the tech industry until President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Twitter account announced it as Starlink’s “sole and exclusive local partner” in May.
“I’m pleased to announce that I have approved the licensing of Starlink by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe to provide advanced Internet and related digital processing services in Zimbabwe through its sole and exclusive local partner, IMC Communications,” Mnangagwa wrote.
Chivayo was, this week, caught on a leaked audio recording boasting about his close relationship with Mnangagwa, claiming he has “captured” the president and the system.
In the audio, Chivayo alleges that he receives lucrative government contracts with advance payments due to his association with Mnangagwa, who he claims calls him “my son”.
The audio recording also reveals Chivayo’s involvement in a corrupt US$40 million Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) tender and his lavish spending, including buying luxury cars and mansions. He claims to be worth 10-20 times more after the general elections last year.
IMC Communications shares an office with Chivayo’s Intratek Zimbabwe at 53 Samora Machel Avenue in Harare. Chivayo and Intratek were acquitted of misappropriating US$5,6 million for the abortive 100MW Gwanda Solar Project.
In December 2023, another local ISP, Dandemutande, announced an agreement with Starlink to resell their services in Zimbabwe, adding to the mystery surrounding IMC’s involvement.
Starlink uses distributors to reach business customers in some markets, including Paratus, which distributes Starlink kits in Zambia and Mozambique, and Karibu Connect, the Starlink reseller in Kenya.
The competition in providing satellite connectivity is intensifying, with Liquid Intelligent Technologies announcing a distribution partner agreement with Eutelsat Group in May to distribute Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite services in Africa, rivaling Starlink, particularly for business customers in Africa.
