Biography of Moses Mpofu
Moses Mpofu is a Zimbabwean businessman who has gained attention for his involvement in various controversial business dealings. His name has been prominently featured in reports concerning corruption and alleged malfeasance within Zimbabwe’s tender processes. This biography aims to provide a detailed overview of the life, career, and the controversies surrounding businessman Moses Mpofu.
How Old is Businessman Moses Mpofu?
[Image Credit: Twitter/X – Temba Mliswa]
Who Is Moses Mpofu’s Wife?
Information about Moses Mpofu’s wife and family is not well-documented. He tends to keep his private life away from the public eye, focusing more on his business endeavors and professional relationships. However, in July 2022, Temba Mliswa inadvertently revealed on social media that Moses Mpofu is married to a woman he only identified as “Mai Norma” when he tweeted about attending Mpofu’s 47th birthday party..
Early Life & Education
Moses Mpofu was born and raised in Zimbabwe. Specific details regarding his early education and formative years are not widely documented. It is known that he pursued higher education, though the exact institutions and degrees obtained are not publicly detailed.
What is Moses Mpofu’s relationship to Wicknell Chivayo?
Moses Mpofu is closely associated with Wicknell Chivayo, a controversial Zimbabwean businessman. The two were business partners in a deal involving the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) for supplying biometric voter registration kits and other electoral materials for the 2023 Zimnabwe Harmonised Elections. This partnership later became a source of significant conflict.
Career
Moses Mpofu has been involved in various business enterprises. Alongside Mike Chimombe, he partnered with Wicknell Chivayo through Better Brands Security (Pvt) Ltd. They secured a US$40 million tender from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to supply electoral materials for the 2023 general elections. This tender, however, led to significant controversies and allegations of fraud.
[Image Credit: Twitter/X – NewsHawks]
Controversies
Moses Mpofu’s career has been marred by several controversies, mainly linked to his business dealings with Wicknell Chivayo. The most notable controversy involves the ZEC tender scandal, where allegations of fraud, deceit, and greed were brought to light.
2024 Wicknell Chivayo Leaked Audios Controversy
In 2024, Moses Mpofu was embroiled in a scandal involving leaked audio recordings allegedly of Wicknell Chivayo. The recordings, widely circulated on social media, purportedly feature Chivayo boasting about his influence over Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa and manipulating government contracts. Chivayo is heard claiming to have sidelined Mpofu and Chimombe from the lucrative ZEC tender, despite their initial involvement through Better Brands Security (Pvt) Ltd. l. Investigations revealed that the contract for biometric voter registration kits was inflated by up to 235%, raising significant concerns about corruption and overpricing. The deal was reportedly approved by high-ranking government officials, including officials in President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s office according to reports by The NewsHawks.
An investigation by The NewsHawks revealed that Moses Mpofu and Mike Chimombe wrote a scathing letter to Wicknell Chivayo, accusing him of fraudulently altering their contract with Ren-Form to favor his own interests. This letter, addressed to Angus Carlaw, Ren-Form International Business Development Executive, detailed how Chivayo hijacked the US$40 million ZEC deal, leading to invoices being inflated by up to 235%. Chivayo allegedly ran away with the majority of the payment, leaving his partners in the lurch.
The leaked audios caused a public outcry, revealing details of how Chivayo allegedly altered agreements and inflated invoices to siphon funds meant for electoral materials procurement. Mpofu and Chimombe were portrayed in the recordings as aggrieved business partners who accused Chivayo of fraudulently excluding them from the deal, which they claim they initiated.
Fallout with Wicknell Chivayo
The fallout between Moses Mpofu and Wicknell Chivayo ensued following the revelations from the leaked audios. Mpofu, along with Mike Chimombe, publicly accused Chivayo of breaching their partnership agreement and manipulating the ZEC tender process for personal gain. They alleged that Chivayo orchestrated the exclusion of Better Brands Security (Pvt) Ltd from the contract, despite their initial efforts to secure the tender in collaboration with South African company Ren-Form CC.
The controversy escalated as Mpofu and Chimombe threatened legal recourse, demanding accountability and restitution for what they perceived as fraudulent practices. Their accusations sparked investigations into the ZEC tender process, prompting scrutiny from government officials and civil society organizations.
Chivayo’s Response To Leaked Audios
Wicknell Chivayo responded by denying the authenticity of the recordings, branding them as fabricated and malicious. He claimed that the audios were part of a scheme by Chimombe and Mpofu to extort him. Chivayo’s statements sought to absolve himself and shift the blame onto his former partners.
Chivayo responded to the leaked audios by denying their authenticity, claiming they were digitally manipulated. He accused Moses and Mike Chimombe of being involved in a smear campaign against him. Chivayo’s lengthy statement refuted the allegations and emphasized his lawful business practices, although the controversy further highlighted the questionable nature of their business dealings.
Government and ZANU PF Reactions
The leaked audio recordings and subsequent investigations rattled government and ruling party officials. Zanu PF officials took to social media to issue cryptic messages condemning Chivayo’s claims of influence over President Mnangagwa. The ruling party has expressed its discontent with Chivayo’s behavior, emphasizing that such actions will not be tolerated. The Zanu PF Youth League has also called on authorities to take measures to prevent further claims from Chivayo, distancing the party from his actions and asserting the integrity of their leadership.
References
- Chivayo Hijacks US$40m Corrupt ZEC Deal by Owen Gagare, 27 May 2024.
- Wicknell Chivayo Responds to Viral Leaked Audios, Attacks Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu by Siyabonga Mpini, iHarare, 12 June 2024.
- Chivayo Cornered in Explosive Saga by Sydney Kawadza and Nqobani Ndlovu, NewsDay, 13 June 2024.
- Wicknell Chivayo Brags About How He Has Captured President Mnangagwa by Siyabonga Mpini, iHarare, 10 June 2024.
- Exclusive Investigation by The NewsHawks, 13 June 2024.
- Chivayo’s Mnangagwa Claims Rattle Govt by Priviledge Gumbodete, NewsDay, 12 June 2024.
- Zanu PF Youth League Tells Wicknell Chivayo to Stop Undermining Authority of President Mnangagwa by VOA, 13 June 2024.
