Wicknell Chivayo has hit back at claims of corruption and money laundering, following fresh reports linking him to dodgy dealings around government tenders and financial transactions.
According to media reports, Chivayo is allegedly tied to an R800 million money laundering scheme connected to a Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) tender awarded to a South African company Ren-Form CC. The money is said to have been moved through major banks in South Africa.
But in a statement released on Monday, 19 May, Chivayo slammed the accusations, calling them a “deliberate manipulation of facts” aimed at damaging his name and that of the companies he’s involved with. He said the leaked reports twist the truth to make legitimate business deals and fully legal contracts look suspicious.
Below is the statement:
A few weeks back, it came to my attention again that certain SO-CALLED “financial intelligence reports” originating from institutions in South Africa and Zimbabwe have found their way into the public domain.
These reports, unfortunately, appear designed to INSINUATE criminal conduct, corruption or money laundering in relation to LEGITIMATE commercial transactions and LEGALLY BINDING contracts involving companies affiliated with me.
As mentioned before last year and without any ambiguity or fear of contradiction, I have NOT committed any offence, nor have any of my companies acted unlawfully in any manner WHATSOEVER.
Executing a contract with the Government and RECEIVING PAYMENT is very common practice and can never be seen as a crime.
The mere fact that the CONTRACT PRICE runs into millions is neither EVIDENCE of any criminality nor a basis to allege corruption. I can’t be responsible for people’s IGNORANCE of basic business principles.
NO MONEY is just STOLEN like most idiots think and if it was the case, surely a sizeable majority of Zimbabweans would have been millionaires by now.
To the contrary, I am proud to call myself a very HARDWORKING businessman and i don’t need anyone to reaffirm or endorse that fact.
All of my business transactions are governed by LAWFULLY signed contracts and are above board. If anyone is struggling to understand how PUBLIC PROCUREMENT functions, I’m happy to pay your fees so you can go and enroll for night school and learn.
What is unacceptable is the deliberate MANIPULATION of facts to fit a POLITICAL narrative designed to discredit others and, by extension, undermine the institutions of the State.
To make matters worse, there is no COMPLAINANT, no MISSING FUNDS and no CRIME committed —only a fabricated attempt to MANUFACTURE a scandal where none exists.
I reiterate, with full confidence, that I am NOT afraid of any lawful investigation and I have absolutely NOTHING to hide…
I also wish to reiterate and STAND by my same comments last year that I have NEVER had any business dealings with ZEC.
The Electoral Commission is on record to confirm that they have had NO contractual relationship with me WHATSOEVER now and in retrospect.
It is therefore not only false, but UTTERLY ILLOGICAL, if not stupid, to suggest that I could have benefited from “inflated payments” on contracts to which I was not a party to.
Those orchestrating these fabricated allegations are not merely concerned with any SUPPOSED criminality on my part.
Behind the VEILS of these “anonymous leaks” and selectively weaponized “financial intelligence,” lies a BIGGER political agenda driven by individuals who intend to subvert a CONSTITUTIONALLY and DEMOCRATICALLY elected Government.
These self-exiled FUGITIVES from justice are working together with a cabal of FAILED opposition outfits whose ambitions have been repeatedly rejected at the ballot box.
Their strategy is to target any businessman who they think is known to be affiliated with or openly supportive of ZANU-PF.
These baseless and nonsensical allegations against me are SIMPLY therefore part of POLITICAL VENGEANCE.
They have NOTHING to do with whether contracts were lawfully executed, but EVERYTHING to do with who I am seen to stand with.
However, it is not the businessman DELIVERING VALUE to the country who deserves criminal scrutiny, but those who are treasonous under the guise of activism who must be visited by the LONG ARM of the law.
I am also very happy to note that all my Lawyers both in Zimbabwe and South Africa agree with me and view these allegations as just a mere WITCH HUNT and a PHISHING EXPEDITION.
Also take note all these expensive and luxurious vehicles are sold over the counter and feel free to work hard and buy your own.
No amount of THREATS, MALICIOUS PROPAGANDA or manufactured scandals will EVER deter me from supporting ZANU PF, standing with the PRESIDENT I believe in, or pursuing my DESTINY to become the YOUNGEST BILLIONAIRE in Zimbabwe and , God willingly, in Africa at large…
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