South Africa’s elite crime-fighting unit, the Hawks, has confirmed that Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo is not the subject of any active investigation, contradicting earlier reports that linked him to a money laundering probe involving hundreds of millions of rand.
The clarification comes amid continued scrutiny of payments connected to Zimbabwe’s controversial 2023 election procurement process and follows an apology from South African news outlet News24 for incorrectly reporting that Chivayo was under investigation by both the Hawks and the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC).
Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale told News24 on Friday that no such investigation exists.
“The DPCI has no such case [on Chivayo] in our system,” Mogale said.
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), commonly known as the Hawks, is a specialised unit within the South African Police Service responsible for investigating serious organised crime, commercial crime, corruption, money laundering and other national priority offences.
The statement follows speculation that Chivayo was being investigated after South Africa’s presidency, without naming him, sought to distance President Cyril Ramaphosa from the Zimbabwean businessman by suggesting he was under police investigation.
The issue gained prominence after Ramaphosa travelled to Zimbabwe in May for bilateral talks with President Emmerson Mnangagwa. During the visit, Chivayo travelled on the same helicopter as the two presidents after being invited by Mnangagwa.
The controversy also stems from Zimbabwe’s 2023 general elections, when a company allegedly linked to Chivayo received more than R1.6 billion to supply most of the country’s election materials, including ballot papers, biometric voter registration equipment and stationery.
Although the contracts sparked widespread public criticism, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission later said its investigations had uncovered no evidence of criminal wrongdoing.
Separately, South Africa’s Financial Intelligence Centre identified a series of financial transactions totalling just over R800 million involving payments made to Chivayo by Renform CC, the company awarded the election contracts.
However, the FIC has clarified that it is not an investigative body. Instead, it analyses financial transactions and provides intelligence reports to law enforcement agencies and regulatory authorities for possible use in criminal investigations or asset forfeiture proceedings.
Following the Hawks’ confirmation, News24 published an apology acknowledging it had incorrectly stated that Chivayo was under investigation by both the Hawks and the FIC in connection with alleged money laundering.
“News24 apologises for the error,” the publication said.
Chivayo’s legal team, led by Advocate Dali Mpofu and attorney Eric Mabuza, had threatened legal action over the reports.
The lawyers also rejected claims linking Chivayo to allegations of fraud, arguing that the matter referenced in previous reports related solely to civil divorce proceedings involving his estranged wife.
According to his lawyers, the dispute is “not a criminal matter” and “does not constitute or involve any commission or allegation of fraud.”
They further argued that assets cited in the South African proceedings, including the Bombardier Challenger private jet registered as ZS-ACT, belong to Intratrek Holdings rather than Chivayo personally. They said Chivayo is merely a shareholder and director of the company.
The legal team also explained that an earlier Pretoria High Court order obtained by Chivayo’s estranged wife was a rule nisi—an interim order granted on an ex parte basis before Chivayo had an opportunity to present his case. They noted that the court has since heard arguments from both parties and reserved judgment.
Welcoming the latest developments, Chivayo’s lawyers said the Hawks’ statement and News24’s correction vindicated their client. They added that they would consider the broader legal implications and reserved Chivayo’s right to pursue legal remedies against anyone who falsely alleged he was under criminal investigation.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Chivayo described the Hawks’ announcement as “the biggest vindication I have awaited for the longest time.”
He maintained that the controversy surrounding him had been politically driven, arguing that “it was never about whether any fraud was committed” but formed part of a campaign orchestrated by “failed opposition leaders” in both Zimbabwe and South Africa following Zanu PF’s victory in the 2023 elections.
Chivayo also referred to a June 2024 statement by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, which he said cleared him and his companies of any involvement in supplying election materials.
Addressing speculation surrounding his finances, he dismissed suggestions that his reported US$10 million property purchase in Cape Town or ongoing South African litigation involving his estranged wife related to frozen assets. He said his Bombardier Challenger jet was simply “in Basel receiving its annual major maintenance.”
“I am just an interesting person, not a person of interest,” Chivayo said.
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