Access … Wicknell Chivayo greetings President Emmerson Mnangagwa during a visit to the Zion Christian Church in March 2024
By Staff Reporter
Harare – Controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo has lashed out at his former business partners, Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu, calling them “incompetent idiots” and labeling them as his former “tea boy” and “shoe polisher.”
Chimombe and Mpofu are currently facing criminal charges related to their alleged roles in the misappropriation of US$7.7 million earmarked for the Presidential Goat Scheme, as well as accusations of fraudulently falsifying documents to secure a US$9.2 million tender for Harare City Council street lights.
Their arrests came after leaked voice notes revealed Chivayo’s alleged attempts to secure a US$100 million contract with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) through bribes to government officials.
The fallout between Chivayo and his former partners reportedly stemmed from disagreements over payments.
Chimombe and Mpofu are believed to have leaked the voice notes in an attempt to retaliate against Chivayo for allegedly withholding US$10 million in earnings.
Local publication the NewsHawks, stated that Chimombe and Mpofu’s incarceration was induced by public fight with him over the US$100 million deal, which triggered a row which led to the exposition of corruption by senior officials.
Chivayo, responding to a NewsHawks post, denied involvement in the current criminal charges against Chimombe and Mpofu, emphasizing that duo were never his business partners, but rather his former “blue collar” subordinates.
“What have I done. When they stole goats and participated in street light tenders, I wasn’t there.
“These two incompetent idiots were never my business partners though I can confirm one was my tea boy and the other was my shoe polisher.
“…please be guided accordingly,” said Chivayo.
Last week, the Harare High Court once again denied bail to Chimombe and Mpofu, who are facing charges of defrauding the state of US$7.7 million through the failed Presidential Goat Scheme.
