Wicknell Chivayo, a Zimbabwean businessman, has denied any ties to a contract for ballot papers for Namibia’s elections, calling the allegations baseless. Amid scrutiny of Ren-Form, the selected supplier with past invoicing issues, the ECN has defended its choice. Opposition parties have demanded a review of the contract as transparency issues arise ahead of the elections.
Wicknell Chivayo, a Zimbabwean entrepreneur, has firmly rejected allegations that he is connected to a contract for providing ballot papers to the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN). In a statement to The Namibian, Chivayo expressed his concern regarding the misleading nature of the claims tying him and his company, Intratrek Zimbabwe, to the procurement process. He asserted, “For the record, neither I nor my company Intratrek Zimbabwe or any other have ever participated in any tender involving ZEC [the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission], nor have we been involved with Ren-Form in any contracts related to the procurement of election-related material or equipment.” This statement follows a report by Daily Maverick, which purported to establish a connection between Chivayo and Ren-Form, a company awarded the contract to print, design, and package ballot papers for the upcoming Namibian presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for November. Media scrutiny has previously implicated Ren-Form in overcharging for invoices during Zimbabwe’s 2023 elections. Furthermore, Chivayo highlighted the absence of any charges against him from Zimbabwe’s anti-corruption commission, characterizing the allegations as orchestrated by “some small opposition political party in Namibia.” He emphasized, “I believe that speculation without evidence only serves to mislead.” Meanwhile, the ECN has also dismissed the allegations as unfounded and misleading, reiterating the integrity of its selection process for the ballot paper supplier. In light of these developments, at least four opposition parties have formally petitioned the ECN to reassess its decision regarding Ren-Form’s engagement. Representatives from eighteen political parties accompanied the ECN on a visit to Johannesburg to oversee the ballot papers’ production, ensuring transparency and accountability as Namibia prepares for its critical electoral process.
The controversy surrounding the contract for the supply of ballot papers to the ECN stems from allegations linking Wicknell Chivayo to Ren-Form, a company responsible for the printing and packaging of election materials. These allegations have raised concerns about potential corruption and mismanagement, especially given Ren-Form’s previous association with inflated invoices during the Zimbabwe elections. As Namibia approaches its elections, the integrity of the procurement process is under scrutiny, prompting various political factions to voice their concerns.
In conclusion, Wicknell Chivayo has categorically denied any involvement in the procurement of ballot papers for the ECN, asserting that the allegations are unfounded and possibly politically motivated. The ECN has defended its decision to select Ren-Form, while opposition parties continue to question the integrity of this choice, prompting a call for transparency as Namibia prepares for its elections. The situation underscores the need for vigilance against corruption in electoral processes.
Original Source: allafrica.com
