Chivayo’s Criminal and Scandalous Record
To grasp the scale of Mnangagwa’s misjudgment, consider Chivayo’s extensive history of corruption and crime:
2004 Fraud Conviction
At 21, Chivayo was convicted in South Africa for fraud involving over ZAR 837,000 (some estimate up to R2 million). He served time in Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison, marking his criminal debut. Yet, this record didn’t hinder his later rise.
Gwanda Solar Project (2015-2018)
Chivayo’s firm, Intratrek Zimbabwe, won a $200 million contract to build a 100-megawatt solar plant in Gwanda. After receiving a $7 million advance, no meaningful work was done. Prosecuted but acquitted in 2019 due to delays, the Supreme Court reversed this in 2020—still, he faced no real consequences.
ZEC Tender Scandal (2023)
Chivayo brokered a $40 million deal for election materials via Ren-Form, a South African firm, with wildly inflated prices (e.g., a server worth R90,000 billed at R23 million). Leaked audio revealed plans to split profits with officials, including alleged ties to Mnangagwa’s daughter Chido. The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) investigates, but Chivayo remains free.
Presidential Goat Pass-On Scheme (2021-2022)
Alongside Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu, Chivayo is implicated in misappropriating $88 million meant for rural goat distribution. While his partners were arrested in 2024, Chivayo’s unscathed status points to protection.
Power Contracts Excess (2017)
Chivayo secured additional power deals worth up to $684 million, promising to bolster Zimbabwe’s grid. Like Gwanda, these projects delivered nothing, yet funds flowed—another testament to his tenderpreneurship.
Lavish Spending and "Philanthropy" (Ongoing)
Chivayo’s habit of gifting Rolls-Royces and Mercedes to ZANU-PF allies and musicians—often post-scandal, like after the 2023 ZEC payout—suggests laundering illicit gains. Critics call it "simulated philanthropy" to mask corruption.
Ties to Grace Mugabe and G40 (Pre-2017)
Before Mnangagwa’s rise, Chivayo funneled funds to Grace Mugabe’s G40 faction. His pivot to Mnangagwa’s camp post-coup shows a knack for aligning with power, regardless of cost to the nation.
The Fallout: A Presidency Undermined
The Chivayo connection has left Mnangagwa’s leadership vulnerable. Economically, the losses—potentially over $800 million across these scandals—compound Zimbabwe’s struggles, with citizens bearing the brunt. Politically, it’s a lightning rod for criticism, from opposition rallies to ZANU-PF infighting. Internationally, the 2024 sanctions tie Mnangagwa to Chivayo’s network, including gold smuggling and tender fraud, dimming hopes of global reintegration.
Public trust, already fragile, has crumbled further. Chivayo’s impunity—despite ZACC probes and Supreme Court rulings—suggests Mnangagwa prioritizes loyalty over justice. This perception echoes Mugabe’s era, not the reform Mnangagwa promised. Even within his party, whispers of discontent grow, with some seeing Chivayo as a liability Mnangagwa can’t shake.
Could Mnangagwa Have Avoided This?
Perhaps Mnangagwa saw Chivayo as a useful ally—his business ties and political adaptability could have been leveraged for economic gains. But the cost has outweighed any benefit. Severing ties early, prosecuting Chivayo, or distancing himself publicly might have salvaged Mnangagwa’s image. Instead, their continued association—photo ops, unpunished scandals—cements a narrative of complicity.
Conclusion: A Legacy at Risk
As of March 26, 2025, Mnangagwa’s presidency teeters between reformist intent and corrupt reality, with Wicknell Chivayo at the heart of this tension. The businessman’s criminal record and scandals—fraud, failed projects, and looted millions—paint a damning picture of a system unchanged from Mugabe’s time. By aligning with Chivayo, Mnangagwa has squandered credibility, resources, and goodwill, making this his biggest mistake. Whether he can pivot—holding Chivayo accountable and rebuilding trust—remains uncertain. For now, this alliance risks defining his legacy as one of continuity, not transformation, in a Zimbabwe desperate for both.
