Controversial businessmen Wicknell Chivayo and Mike Chimombe have been exposed again for their involvement in tender fraud after an audio exchange between them arguing about outstanding payments has leaked.
The two are embroiled in a corrupt US$100 million tender involving the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).
The two fell out when the money began to be disbursed around March.
The ZACC investigation was spurred by another damning audio recording in which Chivayo claims to have “captured” President Mnangagwa. He boasted about his close relationship with the President and named individuals who received payments, including ZEC chair Priscilla Chigumba, Central Intelligence Organisation Director-General Isaac Moyo, gold magnate Pedzisayi “Scott” Sakupwanya, Chimombe, Mpofu, and himself.
Also Read: Chivayo was buying cars using US$40 million ZEC loot: Mike Chimombe exposes
Additional officials who received payments are yet to be identified. The NewsHawks continues to delve into these revelations and other hidden facets of the scandal.
In the newly leaked audio, businessmen Wicknell Chivayo and Mike Chimombe argue over sharing profits. Chivayo can be heard rebuking Chimombe and telling him to be patient.
According to the audio, Chivayo, who was in Namibia, asked Chimombe not to leave so many missed calls on his phone over the unsaid deal.
“When there is money you always want to start a war, that is not good behaviour, relax, relax, I know you want money and I want money too,” Chivayo I heard saying.
Chivayo then warned them that he had other deals that his friends knew nothing about and dared them to try and stop his deals.
[AUDIO] A newly leaked audio recording reveals a heated argument between controversial tycoon Wicknell Chivayo and former business associate Mike Chimombe. pic.twitter.com/Qm1t57Mle8
— Crime Watch Zimbabwe (@crimewatchzw) July 10, 2024
Chimombe later replied, saying that Wicknell has to communicate when it comes to business deals. He even went on to state that they had signed a deal for $17 million.
The contentious agreement was finalized in February 2023, just ahead of the August general elections. The flow of payments started in March, sparking the disputes. While The NewsHawks initially uncovered US$40 million of the scandalous deal, the total amount exceeded US$100 million. Chivayo, Chimombe, and Moses Mpofu acted as intermediaries in the arrangement between ZEC and the South African printing company Ren-Form.
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) is currently probing businessmen for fraud and money laundering. Chimombe and Mpofu, however, are imprisoned on fraud charges linked to the dubious US$88 million Presidential Goats Scheme. Chivayo, on the other hand, has not been arrested yet despite all the allegations.
