In a shocking display of cronyism, businessman Wicknell Chivayo overshadowed President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s deputies at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair. Chivayo’s presence in the presidential motorcade sparked outrage and concerns over state capture.

 

A Convicted Criminal in the Inner Circle.  Chivayo, a convicted criminal under investigation for allegedly diverting R1 billion in public funds, has become a symbol of political impunity. Despite lacking technical expertise, he has secured billion-dollar government contracts, including the failed Gwanda Solar Project.

 

Chivayo’s name is tied to a string of opaque and controversial tenders, including the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission ballot paper deal and a USD $627 million road construction tender. His elevation in official spaces sends a chilling signal: the looting class is not only tolerated, it is celebrated.

 

The optics of Chivayo’s presence alongside Mnangagwa speak louder than denials of personal business links. The message is damning: in Zimbabwe, power protects its own, even when corruption is in plain sight.

 

Chivayo’s rise has become a symbol of a broken system where corruption is rewarded, and public institutions are sacrificed at the altar of political expediency. As Zimbabwe struggles with broken infrastructure, a collapsing health sector, and plummeting investor confidence, Chivayo’s opulence is a stark reminder of the country’s priorities.

 

Opposition parties and civil society groups have criticized Mnangagwa’s association with Chivayo, arguing that it reflects how deeply corruption has been entrenched under his rule. “Chivayo’s presence in the motorcade is not just symbolic—it shows how deeply embedded elite looting and state capture have become,” said one political analyst.

 

As Zimbabwe navigates its economic challenges, one question remains: will the government prioritize transparency and accountability, or will the status quo of corruption and impunity continue?

source – zimeye