Wicknell Chivayo Denies Involvement in Namibian Ballot Paper Contract
Wicknell Chivayo, a Zimbabwean businessman, denied claims linking him to a contract for supplying ballot papers to Namibia’s ECN. He insists he has no ties to Ren-Form, the company chosen for this task. The ECN has defended its decision against rising opposition demands for revocation, citing specious allegations of wrongdoing.
Wicknell Chivayo, a businessman from Zimbabwe, has firmly denied his involvement with the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) regarding a contract for the provision of ballot papers. In an interview with The Namibian, Mr. Chivayo expressed his concern about the allegations linking him to the contract, describing them as both distressing and unfounded. He stated, “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 comments followed a report by Daily Maverick, which suggested a connection between Mr. Chivayo and Ren-Form, the firm entrusted with printing, designing, and packaging ballot papers for the upcoming presidential and National Assembly elections in Namibia scheduled for November. The company Ren-Form has faced scrutiny over its past performance, particularly regarding inflated invoices during the recent elections in Zimbabwe. Mr. Chivayo contended that there has been no case filed against him by Zimbabwe’s anti-corruption commission and implied that his detractors included members of a lesser-known opposition political party within Namibia. He stated, “I believe that speculation without evidence only serves to mislead.” In response to the controversy, the ECN has asserted the falsity of the allegations and clarified that there is no improper conduct in the selection process of Ren-Form. Despite the ECN’s defense, a coalition of four opposition parties has formally requested that the ECN withdraw its selection of Ren-Form as the supplier of the ballot papers. In a show of unity, representatives from 18 political parties have joined the ECN in an oversight effort in Johannesburg to witness the entire process of ballot paper creation before the elections.
The recent claims involving Wicknell Chivayo center around his supposed connection to the contract for ballot papers for Namibia’s upcoming elections. The ECN’s decision to award this contract to Ren-Form has raised concerns, particularly in light of allegations of previous misconduct associated with the company. Mr. Chivayo’s denial and the ECN’s refusal to acknowledge any wrongdoing emphasize the tensions in the political atmosphere as the election approaches. Allegations of corruption and impropriety are not uncommon in the context of electoral processes, and this situation highlights the complexities of ensuring transparency and accountability in such transactions.
In summary, Wicknell Chivayo has categorically denied any involvement with the ECN regarding the contract for ballot papers amidst allegations linking him to Ren-Form. The ECN has defended its selection process, asserting that the claims are false. The political landscape remains contentious as opposition parties challenge the contract with calls for its revocation, while the integrity of the electoral process is under heightened scrutiny.
Original Source: allafrica.com
