Wicknell Chivayo has become one of Zimbabwe's most talked-about businessmen. Born in 1982, he rose from working as a wages clerk at a bus company to becoming a millionaire with massive government contracts. His flashy lifestyle includes luxury cars worth millions and a Hollywood-style mansion in Harare's posh Gletwyn suburb. Chivayo regularly gifts expensive cars to people and has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to various causes across Zimbabwe.
But behind all the glitz and glamour lies a web of controversial business deals that have made him both famous and infamous. His name has become synonymous with corruption scandals involving Zimbabwe's state-owned electricity company, ZESA. These deals have cost the country hundreds of millions of dollars with very little to show for the massive investments. Many Zimbabweans question how someone with such a troubled business record continues to win lucrative government contracts.
However, things went wrong almost immediately after Chivayo signed the contract. Zimbabwe Power Company, a subsidiary of ZESA, paid him $5 million upfront to begin pre-commencement work on the project. This advance payment was made without Chivayo providing a bank guarantee, which broke basic rules designed to protect public money. The $5 million was meant to cover feasibility studies, surveys, site clearance, fencing, and building administrative offices.
Years later, the Gwanda project remains largely incomplete despite Chivayo receiving the massive advance payment. Only basic feasibility studies and topographical surveys were completed before work apparently stopped. The project site was reportedly abandoned after just three months of activity. ZPC eventually took over management of the project and has been trying to get the $5 million back from Chivayo ever since.
Chivayo also secured contracts for the $248 million Gairezi Project and a $73 million deal to refurbish Harare Power Station, bringing his total contracts with ZESA to well over $600 million. Yet despite all these massive projects being officially signed with great fanfare, very little actual work has been completed on any of them. The projects remain largely on paper while Zimbabwe continues to struggle with severe electricity shortages.
Critics have pointed out that Chivayo's company, Intratrek, had no previous experience in power projects before winning these huge contracts. His Indian business partners at Jaguar Overseas Limited were also described as being new to power plant work. This raises serious questions about how these companies managed to win such massive and technically complex projects without the necessary expertise or track record.
More recently, Chivayo has been seen regularly with current president Emmerson Mnangagwa, including visits to the president's farm in Kwekwe. These high-level political connections have led many to believe that Chivayo benefits from what critics call crony capitalism. His proximity to power appears to open doors to lucrative government contracts regardless of his ability to deliver on them.
Energy Minister Samuel Undenge, who approved many of the payments to Chivayo, also came under scrutiny during these scandals. Undenge reportedly received suspicious payments totaling $186,000 around the time Chivayo was being paid for his projects. The minister also embarked on expensive home renovations after struggling financially just months earlier. These coincidences have fueled speculation about corruption at the highest levels of government.
Chivayo has also sued ZPC for $22 million, claiming defamation and breach of contract. He argues that his arrest damaged his reputation and made it difficult to win new business contracts. In court testimony, Chivayo claimed he lost potential business opportunities in Kenya and Tanzania because of the negative publicity surrounding the ZESA scandal. He maintains that his contracts with ZPC were still valid and that the company owes him money.
ZPC, on the other hand, continues to demand the return of the $5 million advance payment since no meaningful work was completed on the Gwanda project. Parliament has also gotten involved, with legislators calling for ZPC to explain how they awarded contracts to Chivayo and demanding that he pay back the advance payments. The legal battles continue as both sides fight over millions of dollars in disputed contracts.
Chivayo has also partnered with Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet service through his company IMC Communications. This partnership was announced shortly after he visited President Mnangagwa's farm, again highlighting the timing of his business success with his political connections. The pattern of Chivayo winning major government contracts despite his controversial track record continues to concern many Zimbabweans.
Today, as Zimbabwe continues to face severe electricity shortages and economic challenges, the Chivayo ZESA deals stand as symbols of how corruption and cronyism can waste public resources. Hundreds of millions of dollars meant to solve the country's power crisis have produced very little actual electricity generation. Meanwhile, Chivayo continues his lavish lifestyle while ordinary Zimbabweans suffer from daily power cuts and economic hardship.
But behind all the glitz and glamour lies a web of controversial business deals that have made him both famous and infamous. His name has become synonymous with corruption scandals involving Zimbabwe's state-owned electricity company, ZESA. These deals have cost the country hundreds of millions of dollars with very little to show for the massive investments. Many Zimbabweans question how someone with such a troubled business record continues to win lucrative government contracts.
The Massive Gwanda Solar Project That Never Happened
The biggest scandal centers around the Gwanda Solar Project, a deal worth $200 million that was supposed to bring much-needed electricity to Zimbabwe. Chivayo's company Intratrek won this tender back in 2015 to build a 100-megawatt solar power plant in Gwanda, a small town in Matabeleland South province. The project promised to help ease Zimbabwe's chronic power shortages that leave millions of people without electricity for hours every day.However, things went wrong almost immediately after Chivayo signed the contract. Zimbabwe Power Company, a subsidiary of ZESA, paid him $5 million upfront to begin pre-commencement work on the project. This advance payment was made without Chivayo providing a bank guarantee, which broke basic rules designed to protect public money. The $5 million was meant to cover feasibility studies, surveys, site clearance, fencing, and building administrative offices.
Years later, the Gwanda project remains largely incomplete despite Chivayo receiving the massive advance payment. Only basic feasibility studies and topographical surveys were completed before work apparently stopped. The project site was reportedly abandoned after just three months of activity. ZPC eventually took over management of the project and has been trying to get the $5 million back from Chivayo ever since.
More Deals Worth Hundreds of Millions Go Nowhere
The Gwanda project was just the beginning of Chivayo's controversial relationship with ZESA. He secured several other massive contracts worth hundreds of millions more dollars. His company won a $113 million deal to refurbish the aging Munyati Power Station, which was built over 60 years ago. The project was supposed to modernize and rehabilitate the thermal power plant to increase electricity generation across Zimbabwe.Chivayo also secured contracts for the $248 million Gairezi Project and a $73 million deal to refurbish Harare Power Station, bringing his total contracts with ZESA to well over $600 million. Yet despite all these massive projects being officially signed with great fanfare, very little actual work has been completed on any of them. The projects remain largely on paper while Zimbabwe continues to struggle with severe electricity shortages.
Critics have pointed out that Chivayo's company, Intratrek, had no previous experience in power projects before winning these huge contracts. His Indian business partners at Jaguar Overseas Limited were also described as being new to power plant work. This raises serious questions about how these companies managed to win such massive and technically complex projects without the necessary expertise or track record.
Political Connections Raise Eyebrows
Many observers believe Chivayo's success in winning government contracts stems from his close political connections rather than his business capabilities. He has been photographed with former president Robert Mugabe and his family, including the controversial Grace Mugabe. Pictures have emerged of Chivayo holidaying in Dubai with Grace Mugabe, suggesting a close relationship with Zimbabwe's former first family.More recently, Chivayo has been seen regularly with current president Emmerson Mnangagwa, including visits to the president's farm in Kwekwe. These high-level political connections have led many to believe that Chivayo benefits from what critics call crony capitalism. His proximity to power appears to open doors to lucrative government contracts regardless of his ability to deliver on them.
Energy Minister Samuel Undenge, who approved many of the payments to Chivayo, also came under scrutiny during these scandals. Undenge reportedly received suspicious payments totaling $186,000 around the time Chivayo was being paid for his projects. The minister also embarked on expensive home renovations after struggling financially just months earlier. These coincidences have fueled speculation about corruption at the highest levels of government.
Legal Battles and Fraud Charges
Chivayo's business dealings have landed him in court multiple times over the years. He was arrested in 2018 on charges related to the ZESA contracts, including fraud, money laundering, and violating exchange control regulations. The charges stemmed from his failure to deliver on the Gwanda project despite receiving the $5 million advance payment. However, he was eventually acquitted of all charges in what many saw as a controversial verdict.Chivayo has also sued ZPC for $22 million, claiming defamation and breach of contract. He argues that his arrest damaged his reputation and made it difficult to win new business contracts. In court testimony, Chivayo claimed he lost potential business opportunities in Kenya and Tanzania because of the negative publicity surrounding the ZESA scandal. He maintains that his contracts with ZPC were still valid and that the company owes him money.
ZPC, on the other hand, continues to demand the return of the $5 million advance payment since no meaningful work was completed on the Gwanda project. Parliament has also gotten involved, with legislators calling for ZPC to explain how they awarded contracts to Chivayo and demanding that he pay back the advance payments. The legal battles continue as both sides fight over millions of dollars in disputed contracts.
The Pattern Continues with New Scandals
Even as the ZESA scandals continue to unfold, Chivayo has managed to secure new controversial government contracts. Investigations revealed that his company, IMC Communications, won a $40 million deal with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to supply biometric voter registration equipment for the 2023 elections. Documents showed that some invoices for this deal were inflated by up to 235%, raising fresh corruption concerns.Chivayo has also partnered with Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet service through his company IMC Communications. This partnership was announced shortly after he visited President Mnangagwa's farm, again highlighting the timing of his business success with his political connections. The pattern of Chivayo winning major government contracts despite his controversial track record continues to concern many Zimbabweans.
Today, as Zimbabwe continues to face severe electricity shortages and economic challenges, the Chivayo ZESA deals stand as symbols of how corruption and cronyism can waste public resources. Hundreds of millions of dollars meant to solve the country's power crisis have produced very little actual electricity generation. Meanwhile, Chivayo continues his lavish lifestyle while ordinary Zimbabweans suffer from daily power cuts and economic hardship.
