Викнелл Чивайо: сотни миллионов рандов из контракта на выборы в Зимбабве перешли на счета его компаний

Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo, whose extraordinary access to President William Ruto has recently attracted attention in Kenya, is facing renewed scrutiny following revelations about hundreds of millions of rand that moved through South African bank accounts linked to a controversial Zimbabwe election procurement deal. A leaked financial intelligence report examined transactions involving Johannesburg printing company Ren-Form CC, which supplied election materials to Zimbabwe, and companies controlled by Chivayo. According to reporting based on the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) analysis, Ren-Form received more than R1 billion from Zimbabwe's Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, with more than R800 million subsequently transferred into business accounts belonging to Chivayo. The findings have raised questions about why such a large proportion of the money paid to the South African supplier ultimately flowed to companies linked to the politically connected Zimbabwean businessman. Ruto's 'Ultimate VIP' The revelations are particularly notable in Kenya because of Chivayo's highly publicised relationship with President Ruto. Chivayo recently attracted attention after attending an engagement celebration involving Ruto's daughter and subsequently posting about the extraordinary treatment he received from the Kenyan President. The Zimbabwean businessman claimed Ruto personally drove him to his private helicopter, with Chivayo sitting in the front passenger seat and his wife seated behind. The episode went viral and generated questions about why a foreign businessman enjoyed such exceptional access to Kenya's Head of State. Chivayo has described his relationship with Ruto as personal and based on faith, respect and mentorship, and has denied ever using that relationship to obtain tenders, favours or other benefits. Pictures circulating online have also shown Chivayo alongside Ruto at official-looking venues, further highlighting his proximity to some of Africa's most powerful political leaders. Chivayo is similarly known for his close relationship with Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa. More Than R800 Million Transferred to Chivayo Businesses At the centre of the controversy is Ren-Form, a Johannesburg printing company involved in supplying materials for Zimbabwe's 2023 elections. According to the FIC analysis reported by ZimLive, Zimbabwe's Finance Ministry transferred approximately R1.167 billion into two Ren-Form bank accounts in South Africa. The FIC reportedly found that more than R800 million was subsequently transferred to Chivayo's businesses, principally Intratrek Holdings and Dolintel Trading Enterprise. The financial intelligence analysis reportedly flagged rapid movements of money to different parties after government payments arrived. It further found that once money reached Chivayo-linked companies, significant amounts were transferred to personal and other business accounts. Among the transactions identified were approximately R36.5 million in payments that appeared connected to vehicle purchases between January 2023 and September 2024. The Zimbabwean Finance Ministry is also reported to have transferred approximately R157 million directly to Edenbreeze, a South African-registered company associated with Chivayo. R23 Million Server Raises Questions The controversy initially erupted over claims concerning the prices charged for equipment and materials supplied for Zimbabwe's elections. Investigations by Open Secrets and The Sentry reported that Ren-Form invoiced the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission R23 million for a server reportedly available for around R90,000. The company was also reported to have charged R68,700 each for portable toilets said to retail for approximately R10,000. Biometric voter registration equipment was another area of scrutiny. According to the investigation, Ren-Form initially quoted about US$5,000 for each biometric voter registration kit, but the final invoiced price reportedly increased to nearly US$16,000. Ren-Form has denied wrongdoing and rejected claims that prices were inflated to facilitate bribes. Its sales director previously said project requirements could change and cited confidentiality obligations concerning details of the contract. Money Laundering Questions The movement of money through the accounts attracted the attention of South Africa's Financial Intelligence Centre. According to ZimLive, the FIC forwarded its findings to Zimbabwe's Financial Intelligence Unit as well as South African authorities for attention. The financial analysis reportedly identified transactions involving large round amounts, luxury purchases and activity considered inconsistent with the profiling information associated with some accounts. Chivayo has strongly denied laundering money connected to Zimbabwe's election materials. He recently told The Times that no court in Zimbabwe or elsewhere had indicted him over the accusations. There is also an important distinction regarding his current status in South Africa. In July, South Africa's Hawks reportedly said they had no case involving Chivayo in their system, while the FIC explained that its role is to produce financial intelligence for law enforcement and other competent authorities rather than conduct criminal investigations itself. Zimbabwe's Anti-Corruption Commission had previously investigated the election procurement controversy but closed its investigation in December 2025 after saying it could not establish contractual evidence linking Chivayo to the deal. Luxury Cars and Political Connections Chivayo has become one of southern Africa's most conspicuous businessmen, regularly displaying luxury cars, private aircraft, expensive watches and other signs of immense wealth on social media. His relationships with African political leaders have generated almost as much attention as his wealth. Apart from Ruto and Mnangagwa, Chivayo has cultivated relationships with other influential figures across the continent. His access to Ruto has recently become particularly visible. International reporting this month described how the Kenyan President personally drove Chivayo to his helicopter after he attended a family event, an extraordinary level of access that Chivayo himself proudly publicised. The businessman insists there is nothing improper about the relationship. He says his friendship with Ruto is based on faith and mentorship rather than commercial interests. Questions Follow the Money The financial records surrounding the Zimbabwe election contract nevertheless leave major questions about how public money moved from Zimbabwe's Treasury through a South African supplier and ultimately into businesses associated with Chivayo. According to the leaked FIC analysis, roughly eight out of every ten rand paid to Ren-Form eventually flowed into Chivayo-linked business accounts. That money trail is likely to keep attracting scrutiny regardless of Chivayo's political connections and his emphatic denials of wrongdoing. For Kenya, the revelations also place fresh attention on the extraordinary access Chivayo enjoys to President Ruto, even though there is no evidence in the South African financial material reviewed linking Ruto to the Zimbabwe election transactions. What remains is a remarkable picture of a businessman who has managed to combine enormous wealth with personal access to some of Africa's most powerful leaders — while financial transactions involving hundreds of millions of rand continue to attract questions across borders.