A newly leaked audio recording has put a major scandal involving a shady $100 million tender linked to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) back in the spotlight. The audio reveals a heated argument between controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his former business associate, Mike Chimombe, showing their fallout just as the lucrative deal began to bring in money.

The tender, signed in February 2023 ahead of Zimbabwe’s August general elections, was for services from South African printing company Ren-Form. But the deal quickly turned into a fight as large payments started in March. The main chunk of the deal was a huge $40 million, with the total contract being over $100 million.

Chivayo, along with Chimombe and another associate, Moses Mpofu, were middlemen in the arrangement. However, as the money began to flow, disputes erupted among the trio, each accusing the other of mishandling their ill-gotten gains. The intensity of these clashes was made clear in the leaked audio where both men are heard accusing each other of betrayal and fraud.

The backdrop to this corruption saga is both politically charged and controversial. Chivayo, who is notably close to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, is allegedly protected by political connections despite the ongoing investigation by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc). The probe, which also targets Chimombe and Mpofu, includes serious allegations of fraud and money laundering.

Chimombe and Mpofu’s legal troubles go beyond the Zec scandal. Both are currently imprisoned on charges related to a suspicious $88 million Presidential Goats Scheme, another case that shows the pervasive corruption within certain Zimbabwean elite circles.

In a twist that adds layers to this complex saga, another revealing audio had previously surfaced, further implicating Chivayo. In it, he boasts about his influence over President Mnangagwa and reveals the involvement of several high-profile officials. Among those named were Zec chair Priscilla Chigumba, Central Intelligence Organisation Director-General Isaac Moyo, and gold tycoon Pedzisayi “Scott” Sakupwanya, pointing to a deeply entwined network of political and economic interests.

The fallout from these revelations is significant, not just for the individuals involved but for the integrity of Zimbabwe’s electoral processes. The probe by Zacc, spurred by these audios, underscores a potentially extensive investigation that could unravel more about the corruption permeating the country’s political fabric.

As the investigation continues, The NewsHawks, the outlet that first exposed this saga, promises further reports. They hint at more officials potentially involved, pledging to uncover additional layers in what could be one of Zimbabwe’s most significant corruption exposés.

This scandal serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing anti-corruption efforts in Zimbabwe. With the upcoming general elections, the integrity of the electoral process is under scrutiny, and the outcome of this investigation could have far-reaching implications for the nation’s democratic practices.

As the public awaits further developments, the question remains: How deep do the roots of corruption go, and can a fair electoral process be ensured amidst such a scandal? The eyes of Zimbabweans and international observers alike are keenly watching, hoping for justice and transparency to prevail in a landscape often shadowed by corruption.