The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission is once again under the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Shocking revelations have come out exposing secret deals, backroom payments, and manipulation of election processes. These scandals now threaten to destroy what little public trust remained in Zimbabwe’s electoral systems. Documents confirmed by The NewsHawks show that ZEC officials engaged in hidden financial transactions and meetings that were never disclosed to the public. What the nation heard from the state-controlled Sunday Mail was a carefully crafted lie while the real story was kept in the dark.
It all started on February 2 2023 when ZEC Chairperson Priscilla Chigumba made a secret visit to South Africa. She was not alone. She was joined by Wicknell Chivayo and Moses Mpofu, both known for being close to power. They visited Ren-Form, a printing company that was secretly awarded the contract to provide election materials. This meeting marked the beginning of a shady agreement that was never made public. Not long after that, more private meetings followed, including some held at Chigumba’s own house in Greendale Harare. These details paint a picture of a deal arranged behind closed doors, far from public oversight.
Then came another twist. Ren-Form went on to sign an additional contract with Better Brands Security on February 13. This company is owned by Pedzisayi “Scott” Sakupwanya, a known gold baron with deep political connections. Yet despite this deal already being in place, ZEC carried on as if it was still preparing to open up the tender process. The official process was just theatre. The real business had already been done. This was a deception not just to the public but also to the systems meant to ensure fairness.
By the time ZEC’s official delegation travelled to South Africa between April 16 and June 27, the contracts were already signed and money had started changing hands. The first major payment was made on March 31 just before Easter. This happened weeks before any formal meetings began. It confirms that everything else was just for show.
Even more damning is an audio recording that has since surfaced. In this recording Wicknell Chivayo openly brags about receiving a US$1 million payment. This was just the beginning. According to the audio, payments were divided among several top figures. Sakupwanya reportedly received US$350,000 while Chivayo Mpofu and Mike Chimombe each got US$150,000. ZEC Chairperson Priscilla Chigumba and the CIO Director General Isaac Moyo are said to have received US$100,000 each. These payouts were timed to give them a luxurious Easter holiday. The group was promised even more money later.
What makes this case especially worrying is the involvement of very senior government officials. Chief Secretary to the Cabinet Martin Rushwaya and CIO boss Isaac Moyo were reportedly part of the arrangement. Both are known allies of President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Their presence in this scandal shows that the corruption goes straight to the top. These are not just rogue actors. They are trusted men in the President’s inner circle.
This explosive scandal has not just embarrassed ZEC. It has revealed a broken system where corruption runs deep and where democratic processes are sold off for personal gain. Huge sums of public money were spent in secret while ordinary Zimbabweans continue to suffer. The exposure of these deals has raised new doubts about the credibility of elections and whether Zimbabwe’s democracy can survive under such abuse.
Real change will not come from empty promises. It will come from holding the powerful to account. Zimbabweans deserve a future where elections are fair and leadership is honest. This scandal should be a turning point. The truth is out and now the people must demand justice.
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