If anyone still believed that Zimbabwe holds free and fair elections, that belief should be gone now. What has come out of South Africa proves beyond doubt that our elections are up for sale. A major scandal is unfolding, and at the center of it is a South African printing company called Ren-Form, and Zimbabwe’s well-known ZANU PF-linked businessman, Wicknell Chivayo.

Ren-Form, based in Johannesburg, was hired to print election materials for the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) during the 2023 elections. But now, South African financial authorities are investigating the company for possible money laundering. The reason? Serious corruption and fraud linked directly to the Zimbabwean election process.

The story first broke last year when two respected investigative groups, The Sentry and Open Secrets, released a report in South Africa’s Daily Maverick. They showed how Ren-Form worked with Chivayo to charge ZEC shocking amounts of money for basic items. This was no mistake. The goal was clear — to make money and pay off high-level officials in Zimbabwe.

One shocking example: Ren-Form billed ZEC R23 million for a computer server that costs no more than R90,000. They charged R68,700 for a single portable toilet that usually sells for R10,000. These are not just bad business deals. This is open theft. This is the looting of public funds in broad daylight.

The worst part is that Chivayo was caught on a leaked audio recording talking about how the stolen money would be shared among powerful people in Zimbabwe. He used coded names and initials, but it is clear who he was talking about — top government and ZEC officials.

When asked to explain, Ren-Form’s sales director, Jean-Pierre du Sart, brushed off the concerns. He said, “Chivayo is one of our agents over there, so there’s nothing wrong with that.” But there is everything wrong with that. Using public money meant for national elections to enrich a corrupt few is not business — it’s criminal.

The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) says it is investigating. But most Zimbabweans do not trust ZACC. We know how these investigations usually end — with silence and no arrests. The truth is, ZACC has no real power to go after the big names in ZANU PF. It has become a toothless dog, barking but never biting.

That is why the South African investigation is so important. For once, it is not just Zimbabweans asking for answers. Now the outside world is watching. The case has crossed our borders and could finally bring some real justice. If South African investigators do their job well, the people who helped steal our elections might finally face punishment.

This scandal is not just about expensive servers or toilets. It is about our democracy. It is about how a group of greedy men sold our right to vote. They sold the future of Zimbabwe to line their pockets.

We, the people, are tired. We are angry. We want those who stole from us to be named, shamed, and jailed. Enough is enough. If our own leaders will not protect our votes, maybe international investigators will.

This time, the whole world is watching. And so are we.