Wicknell Chivayo Denies Allegations Related to Namibian Ballot Paper Contract

Wicknell Chivayo, a Zimbabwean businessman, denies allegations linking him to a contract for supplying ballot papers for Namibia’s upcoming elections, calling them unfounded. Chivayo states he has not engaged with the implicated company, Ren-Form, while the Electoral Commission of Namibia also dismisses the claims as false. Despite this, opposition parties are calling for Ren-Form’s contract to be revoked amidst concerns over electoral integrity.

Wicknell Chivayo, a Zimbabwean businessman, has publicly refuted allegations connecting him to a contract for supplying ballot papers for the upcoming presidential and National Assembly elections in Namibia. In a conversation with The Namibian, he dismissed the accusations as “disturbing and baseless.” He clarified, “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.” These statements follow a report from Daily Maverick which suggested a link between Chivayo and Ren-Form, the firm awarded the contract for ballot paper production. The report noted allegations against Ren-Form regarding inflated invoices during Zimbabwe’s electoral process in 2023. Chivayo emphasized that no formal charges have been made against him by Zimbabwe’s anti-corruption commission and suggested that the allegations stem from “some small opposition political party in Namibia.” He expressed concern over the potential for misleading information, stating, “I believe that speculation without evidence only serves to mislead.” In response to the controversy, the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has also denied any wrongdoing in the selection of Ren-Form, labeling the accusations as “false and misleading.” Despite this, at least four opposition parties have petitioned the ECN to revoke Ren-Form’s contract. On Sunday, representatives from 18 political parties traveled to Johannesburg with the ECN to oversee the entire process of ballot paper design and production for the impending elections in November.

The events surrounding the allegations against Wicknell Chivayo and the contracts associated with ballot paper procurement in Namibia stem from growing concerns over electoral integrity and transparency. As elections approach in Namibia, the role of suppliers and the conduct of businesses within the electoral framework are scrutinized. The connection to Ren-Form, which has been previously linked to malpractice in Zimbabwe’s elections, has heightened the stakes, prompting opposition parties in Namibia to question the legitimacy of the selection processes. The commission’s readiness to engage with political parties in monitoring the ballot paper production highlights the importance of transparency in the electoral process.

In summary, Wicknell Chivayo has firmly denied any involvement with the contract for ballot paper supply in Namibia, labeling the claims as unfounded. Despite media reports suggesting connections between him and the contracted firm Ren-Form, both Chivayo and the Electoral Commission of Namibia have rejected the allegations. The situation reflects ongoing tensions related to electoral integrity as several opposition parties call for more stringent oversight regarding the suppliers involved in the November elections.

Original Source: allafrica.com