A dark cloud now hangs over Zimbabwe’s political landscape, as the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) scandal continues to unravel, implicating top officials in a massive corruption scheme that threatens the very foundation of the country’s democracy. At the center of this growing storm is George Charamba, the official spokesman for President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who has become the loudest—and most toxic—voice defending a system soaked in scandal.
Despite a mountain of damning evidence, Charamba has gone on the offensive. His job as a civil servant, funded by taxpayer money, should demand professionalism, balance, and honesty. Instead, he has launched vicious attacks on journalists, citizens, and critics, using his X (formerly Twitter) account to smear media outlets like The NewsHawks and anyone questioning ZEC’s integrity. What should be a calm defense of government conduct has become an unhinged crusade against the truth.
The allegations are not trivial. The scandal involves over US$100 million in questionable tenders awarded by ZEC, with massive payments linked to inflated contracts for election materials. The key actors in this disgraceful episode include Chief Secretary to the Cabinet Martin Rushwaya, Central Intelligence Organisation Director-General Isaac Moyo, ZEC chairperson Priscilla Chigumba, and convicted fraudster Wicknell Chivayo, along with his partners Moses Mpofu and Pedzisayi “Scott” Sakupwanya. South African businessmen Thomas Michel du Sart and Angus Carlaw have also been drawn into the mess.
The sheer scale of this web of corruption would be enough to trigger resignations in any functioning democracy. But in Zimbabwe, what we have instead is Charamba—the president’s mouthpiece—publicly shielding the accused while threatening the messengers. He continues to spin wild conspiracy theories and blame external enemies, hoping to drown out the legitimate calls for accountability.
This is not just about a tender gone wrong. It’s about the systematic destruction of Zimbabwe’s democratic institutions. ZEC is supposed to be an independent referee, entrusted with protecting the sanctity of the vote. Instead, it has become a playground for connected elites to enrich themselves while destroying public trust. With so many key players tied to the Office of the President and Cabinet, it is clear that the rot goes straight to the top.
The danger here is profound. If Zimbabweans cannot trust their elections, then the very idea of democracy in the country collapses. If ZEC is compromised, if elections are rigged through corrupt deals and dodgy suppliers, then every political result becomes a sham. That’s why this scandal is not just a technical failure or an administrative blunder—it is an attack on the people’s voice.
And yet, instead of addressing the crisis head-on, the regime’s priority is to silence the outrage. Police are arresting opposition activists, journalists are being harassed, and now we have Charamba leading a public disinformation campaign to protect the corrupt. It is a shameful moment for a man who once pretended to stand for professionalism in public service.
But the people of Zimbabwe are not fools. They see the games. They know this scandal is not an isolated incident, but the result of a deeper culture of impunity, theft, and abuse of power. Charamba’s angry tweets won’t erase the truth, and his arrogance will not protect the regime from the backlash that is coming.
Civil society is demanding a full, independent investigation into ZEC’s dealings. They are also calling for the resignation of everyone involved, including Chigumba. These demands must be supported. Zimbabwe needs a clean, independent electoral commission if it is to ever move forward. The longer these corrupt actors remain in place, the worse the damage will be.
Internationally, this scandal will have consequences. Foreign investors and donors are watching closely. Zimbabwe’s reputation, already battered, now risks becoming untouchable if this crisis is swept under the rug. And no amount of infrastructure, summit hosting, or PR stunts will fix that.
As the evidence grows and the pressure mounts, George Charamba will find himself increasingly isolated. His loud defense of the indefensible may please his political masters for now, but history will remember him not as a patriot, but as the man who chose propaganda over truth while Zimbabwe’s democracy bled.
The people deserve better. Zimbabwe deserves better. And the time for real accountability is now.