Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) Deputy Chairperson Rodney Kiwa on Thursday refused to answer questions regarding over R800 million allegedly paid to controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo in connection with the procurement of election materials for the 2023 general elections.
During a media briefing in Harare, Kiwa visibly avoided addressing the matter, despite growing pressure following revelations by South Africa’s Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC). The FIC investigation found that Zimbabwe’s Treasury paid R1.1 billion to Johannesburg-based printing firm Ren-Form CC for election supplies, and that more than R800 million of that amount was subsequently transferred to companies linked to Chivayo.
“Let’s leave that issue alone,” Kiwa said when pressed by journalists.
“ZEC is not involved in that. It has nothing to do with us.”
According to the FIC, its investigation — conducted between April 2023 and May 2024 — uncovered significant discrepancies in the pricing and distribution of funds related to the procurement deal. One instance cited was an invoice for a central server costing R23 million, although the same server is widely available online for less than R100,000. Additionally, 2,000 portable toilets were invoiced at R68,700 each, well above their estimated retail price of R10,000.
The report also states that R156 million was transferred directly from Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Finance to Edenbreeze — one of Chivayo’s companies — under the guise of “architectural, engineering, and other technical services.”
Authorities in both Zimbabwe and South Africa, including the Zimbabwean Financial Intelligence Unit, have reportedly received the findings. However, ZEC has remained silent, despite being the electoral body responsible for overseeing the use of the election materials in question.
Kiwa’s comments have drawn sharp criticism from civil society, legal experts, and the public. Social media platforms have been flooded with reactions accusing the electoral commission of avoiding accountability.
“There is no point holding elections in Zimbabwe at this moment. ZEC is a crime scene,” tweeted UK-based legal analyst Brighton Mutebuka.
Several users questioned how ZEC could deny involvement when it utilized the materials procured through the controversial tender process. Others accused Kiwa of being deliberately evasive.
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The phrase “Ngatimbosiyana nayo,” used by Kiwa during the press briefing, has since gone viral and become symbolic of what many describe as the government’s refusal to address serious corruption allegations.
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) previously announced that it was investigating the 2023 election contracts. However, there has been no official update on the status or progress of that investigation.
Transparency and accountability advocates are now calling for a comprehensive and independent inquiry into the deal.
“The silence from authorities is unacceptable,” said political analyst Brian Chiviru.
“This is a matter of public interest involving significant taxpayer funds. ZEC and the Ministry of Finance must provide answers.”
As pressure mounts, both domestically and internationally, stakeholders await a formal response from ZEC, ZACC, and the Ministry of Finance regarding the multi-million rand procurement deal and its implications for Zimbabwe’s electoral integrity.
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