Published: 18 June 2025

The Zimbabwean government appears to be giving tacit approval to businessman Wicknell Chivayo's bid to supply over US$400 million worth of medical drugs and cancer treatment equipment, despite public controversy and widespread skepticism.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Nick Mangwana, has seemingly confirmed that Chivayo's company, TTM Global Medical Exports (Pvt), submitted an official proposal to supply cancer treatment equipment and medical consumables to the government. The South African-registered firm, which lists Chivayo as a director, was incorporated in November 2024 and is based out of a hotel in Sandton, Gauteng - an unusual registered address that has raised questions about the company's legitimacy.

The proposed contract, if awarded, has ignited public uproar amid allegations of corruption and cronyism linked to President Emmerson Mnangagwa. The controversy was fueled by a leaked draft document circulating online, suggesting the government would pay US$110 million annually over four years for supplies from TTM Global Medical Exports. The leak came shortly after Mnangagwa's "familiarisation tour" of major public hospitals, including Sally Mugabe and Parirenyatwa, prompting accusations that the visits were part of an effort to push the deal through.

Mangwana dismissed the uproar as premature, emphasizing that the leaked contract is an unsigned draft proposal. "So, the fuss is about an unsigned draft document, which for all intents and purposes is a proposal? Doesn't the country have a Cabinet to make decisions on all our behalf? And linking this March document to HE's unannounced hospital visits is to have an overactive imagination," he stated on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday.

Chivayo himself denied the authenticity of the contract, branding it a "fake" and accusing opposition parties of manufacturing controversy for political gain. "For a whole group of opposition outfits to team up and make noise about an unsigned FAKE document is an embarrassing desperation for political relevance… Please put some respect to my name," Chivayo wrote on X on Wednesday. "You are too DESPERATE for content and have nothing else to do than circulating such UNFOUNDED and NONSENSICAL misinformation," he added.

Public suspicion around Chivayo has intensified due to his recent lavish spending, including gifting luxury vehicles to Zanu PF supporters, social media influencers, and artists. Questions about the source of his wealth remain unanswered, and the government's reluctance to investigate has deepened perceptions that Chivayo is a close ally of President Mnangagwa, allegedly managing funds on the President's behalf.

Inside government circles, opinions about Chivayo appear divided. While President Mnangagwa reportedly views him as a "philanthropist," Vice President Constantino Chiwenga is said to regard him as a "crooked businessman," highlighting tensions within the ruling elite over the controversial figure's role and influence.

As the debate continues, the potential contract with TTM Global Medical Exports remains a lightning rod for concerns about governance, transparency, and the future of Zimbabwe's public health procurement.
- newzimbabwe

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