By Nathan Guma | The NewsHawks |
Reeling from a major corruption scandal, Zimbabwe’s political system has decided to protect ex-convict tycoon Wicknell Chivayo — who is close to President Emmerson Mnangagwa — and throw under the bus his estranged business partners Moses Mpofu and Mike Chimombe who were also involved in the corrupt US$100 million Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) tender, which has left authorities badly exposed, The NewsHawks has been told.
“The system has decided to protect Chivayo to shield top officials who are involved or implicated in the scandal,” a senior government official said.
“Arresting Chivayo may leave many top officials exposed and as collateral damage in the process. So ultimately it’s not about Chivayo per se, but his political handlers.”
Chivayo and his business partners have had a bitter fallout over the lucrative deal. He is reportedly in Dubai, his favourite playground where he splurges public funds like confetti at a wedding on luxuries.
The tender involves Zec and South Africa’s Ren-Form CCC, a printing company which is the main supplier, and agents, including Chivayo.
The controversial businessman does not want to be disturbed while enjoying the grubby proceeds of his corrupt tender.
Latest information shows the scam is much wider and deeper than initially thought.
It involves more than US$100 million in public funds and many officials who were paid bribes, kickbacks and commissions in the grand heist.
Key players in the dodgy deals are Zec chairperson Priscilla Chigumba, chief electoral officer Utloile Silaigwana, chief procurement officer Robson Changachirere, Pedzai “Scott” Sakupwanya, Chivayo, Mpofu, Mike Chimombe, Central Intelligence Organisation Director-General Isaac Moyo, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Martin Rushwaya, lawyer Everson Chatambudza, Ren-Form international sales executive Angus Carlaw and the company chief executive Thomas Michel du Sart.
Mpofu and Chimombe are in jail over fraud charges emanating from the dodgy US$88 million Presidential Goat Scheme in which they are accused of getting paid US$7.7 million, but failing to fulfill their contractual obligations to deliver more than 6000 goats over five years. They have been denied bail.
This is the issue being used to cage them to save Chivayo and top officials. That is why other individuals like Joseph “Chief Jose” Mhaka involved in the goats scandal were not arrested, but only Mpofu and Chimombe, the source said.
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