Build One South Africa leader Mmusi Maimane has called on authorities to arrest controversial Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo after social media activity appeared to place him in Sandton, Johannesburg.
Maimane raised the issue on his X account, where he shared a photograph allegedly showing Chivayo seated on a private aircraft. The politician highlighted the location tag associated with the post, suggesting that Chivayo may have been in South Africa.
Maimane Questions Chivayo’s Presence in South Africa
In his social media posts, Maimane described Chivayo as a person of interest and questioned why authorities had not acted if he was indeed present in the country.
The BOSA leader also referenced Chivayo’s recent appearance alongside South African President Cyril Ramaphosa during Ramaphosa’s visit to Zimbabwe earlier this year.
On 19 May 2026, Maimane shared a video screenshot that appeared to show Ramaphosa and Chivayo together during the President’s visit to Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The image sparked debate on social media, with Maimane questioning whether Ramaphosa knew Chivayo and raising concerns about the businessman’s alleged role in corruption scandals in Zimbabwe.
Allegations of Corruption and Money Laundering
Maimane alleged that Chivayo is linked to large-scale corruption and money laundering investigations in Zimbabwe.
The politician further claimed that governance failures and corruption in neighbouring countries contribute to migration pressures on South Africa.
According to Maimane, corruption and economic mismanagement in Zimbabwe continue to drive citizens to seek opportunities elsewhere, including in South Africa, which already faces significant unemployment and socio-economic challenges.
Election Procurement Controversy
Maimane also highlighted reports concerning Zimbabwe’s electoral procurement processes.
Referring to findings published by Legalbrief Africa, he alleged that Chivayo was linked to a partnership involving a Johannesburg-based printing company that supplied election materials to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission at highly inflated prices.
The allegations include claims that election equipment and supplies were billed at amounts significantly higher than their estimated market value, including servers and portable sanitation facilities.
No Formal Charges Announced
While Maimane has called for Chivayo’s arrest, no South African law enforcement agency has publicly announced any charges against the businessman in connection with the allegations mentioned in the social media posts.
Authorities in both South Africa and Zimbabwe have not issued official statements regarding the latest claims.
The matter continues to attract attention across the region as questions remain about Chivayo’s business dealings and his alleged connections to influential political figures.
As the debate unfolds, calls for greater accountability and transparency in cross-border corruption investigations are expected to intensify.
