A South African company, Ren-Form CC, received over R1.1 billion from Zimbabwe’s finance ministry to supply election materials for the 2023 general elections. However, a bombshell investigation by South Africa’s Financial Intelligence Centre revealed that more than R800 million of this amount was immediately transferred to companies owned by controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo. Chivayo is accused of securing government contracts by bribing top officials, and the findings suggest that he used the funds for personal gain and luxury purchases.

Alleged Price Inflation and Commission

The investigation found that Ren-Form CC wildly inflated prices of goods supplied to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, including ballot papers, biometric registration kits, and non-flushing toilets. For instance, a central server costing R90,000 online was invoiced at R23 million, while biometric voter registration kits were tripled in price from US$5,000 to nearly US$16,000 per unit. The difference between the standard charge and inflated price was allegedly paid to Chivayo and his partners as “commission”.

Funds Utilization

Chivayo’s companies received significant payments, which he used to make substantial transactions, including car purchases and payments to law firms and car dealerships.

Controversy and Denials

Chivayo denies wrongdoing, despite allegations of bribing government officials and inflating prices. Ren-Form CC also previously denied corruption in the contracts but now faces questions over how it retained only about R300 million of the R1.1 billion received from Zimbabwe’s treasury.

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