ZIMBABWE’S ELECTIONS WERE SOLD TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER

If anyone still believed that elections in Zimbabwe are free and fair, the new evidence from South Africa should change that. What is now clear is that our votes, our democracy, and our future were sold — and the people who did it must be held to account.

In South Africa, financial regulators are now going after a printing company called Ren-Form. This company is based in Johannesburg and it is being looked into for suspected money laundering. The money they are being investigated for is linked directly to Zimbabwe’s 2023 elections.

Ren-Form was the company hired to print voting materials for the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC). But instead of doing an honest job, they worked with Wicknell Chivayo — the well-known ZANU PF tender businessman — to overcharge ZEC by millions. And where did the extra money go? Into the pockets of top officials in Zimbabwe.

This is not a rumour. It is a fact that was investigated by The Sentry and Open Secrets and published in the Daily Maverick. They showed how Ren-Form and Chivayo teamed up to supply election materials at crazy prices. This was not a business deal. It was theft, and Zimbabweans are the ones who lost.

For example, Ren-Form sent ZEC an invoice of R23 million for a server that normally costs only R90,000. That is like paying US$1,200 for a loaf of bread. And that’s not all. They charged R68,700 for each portable toilet — something that normally sells for R10,000. This is not business. This is criminal.

But the worst part is a recording that was leaked to the public. In that recording, Wicknell Chivayo is heard talking about how the money from this corrupt deal would be shared. He used codes and initials, but it is clear that big names in the Zimbabwe government were involved. These people took money meant for elections and used it to enrich themselves.

When asked about this, the Ren-Form sales director, Jean-Pierre du Sart, was very rude and defensive. He said: “He’s one of our agents over there, so there’s nothing wrong with that.” Nothing wrong? Really? Helping to steal money from a poor country’s election budget is not just wrong — it is evil.

Back in Zimbabwe, the so-called anti-corruption body ZACC said they are looking into the matter. But most people know that this is just talk. ZACC has never arrested any top ZANU PF official for corruption. They only go after small fish. The real looters walk free.

That is why the South African investigation is so important. This time, the matter is no longer in the hands of Zimbabwean officials. Now it has crossed the border. Now it is serious. And now the world is watching.

The big question is — will these criminals finally face justice?

Zimbabweans are tired. We are tired of commissions that do nothing. We are tired of being lied to. We are tired of watching our country being stolen in broad daylight. We want justice.

This is not just about computers and toilets. This is about how a group of people used a fake election to keep power and steal from the nation. They are not just thieves. They are traitors to the people of Zimbabwe.

The election was not free. It was not fair. It was bought. And the price was paid with our future.

But the people are not sleeping anymore. We are awake. We are angry. And this time, we are watching closely. The thieves must be named. The thieves must be shamed. And the thieves must be punished.

The world is finally paying attention. Let’s keep the pressure on.