Government reportedly assigned US $200 million in ICT contracts to Wicknell Chivayo, a claim he has disputed.
Informal Take:
Looks like there's some drama brewing over a leaked letter, allegedly written by biz tycoon Wicknell Chivayo. According to the letter, his company IMC scored some major contracts from the Zimbabwe government, worth around $200 million. To fund these deals, Chivayo asked his bank, Ecobank, to lift the monthly withdrawal limit on IMC's account to a whopping $20 million.
But here's the twist: Starlink, the satellite internet provider, snubbed Chivayo and his crew, opting to team up with other companies instead. By December 2024, TelOne and Aura had already been licensed to sell Starlink kits in Zimbabwe. So, why would the government still be trying to hand IMC contracts, given they weren't even Starlink-approved?
Chivayo himself says the leaked letter is "desperate and shameful," denying any involvement. He claims the letter is a forgery, created to tarnish his image and businesses. He even accuses Advocate Fadzayi Mahere of stealing his signature to fabricate the letters. But, that's a pretty far-fetched story, don't you think? If the government's involved, they could easily do what they want, despite accusations of wrongdoing.
No one's throwing confirmation our way yet, so we'll just have to wait and see if this is all a big blur or the real deal. With our government, anything's possible, right? Keep your eyes peeled for updates on this one!
Insights:- Based on available information, the authenticity of the leaked letter remains unverified.- IMC and Starlink do not have a confirmed business relationship or government contracts. Recent publicized deals involve other projects, such as a $2.5 billion agreement with the Chinese Chint Group.
Finance was at the heart of the controversy, with business tycoon Wicknell Chivayo seeking a massive $20 million monthly withdrawal limit from his bank, Ecobank, to fund government contracts worth around $200 million. However, the fate of these contracts remains uncertain due to the dispute over the authenticity of a leaked letter and the alleged snub from Starlink, leaving the future of IMC's businesses in question.
