Probe Into Wicknell Chivayo Deal Continues As MPs Tour Gwanda Solar Plant Site

The Parliamentary Portfolio committee on Mines and Energy will tour the site of the proposed Gwanda Solar Plant today as legislators continue their probe into the contentious deal signed by the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) and Intratrek, a company owned by Wicknell Chivayo.

The visit comes barely two weeks after Chivayo appeared before the committee where he was questioned over the $5 million he received from the ZPC for the Gwanda solar project without the requisite bank guarantee. Chairperson of the committee, Temba Mliswa said the visit was meant to enable Parliament to assess progress made on the ground in relation to the amount that Chivayo received.

During his appearance before the committee, Chivayo was also questioned over the manner in which he won the tender for the project in 2013. He admitted that he had been paid by the company without a bank guarantee and had sought assistance from former Minister of Energy and Power Development Dr Samuel Undenge after suspended ZPC managing director Noah Gwariro had refused to pay him the money without the guarantee.