The Zimbabwean government has set an ambitious target to end load shedding by 2026, backed by claims of implementing 18 new power projects generating nearly 4,000MW, something which has been met with scepticism, given the alleged corruption, mismanagement, and unfulfilled promises. Central to the allegations has been the Gwanda solar power tender scandal, involving controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo.
As per a report from The Zimbabwean, the site seems to have been abandoned ten years after Wicknell Chivayo won the USD 172.08 million tender. Frustration is growing over the project’s failure to deliver, with power outages around the African country lasting anywhere from 18 to 30 hours at a time.
“In some places, power is restored for only two hours in the middle of the night. The project was in a terrible state when the Energy Parliamentary Portfolio Committee visited in March 2024, six months ago,” the report stated.
Bushes, termite-infested wooden buildings, missing roof tiles, and a single solar panel intended for security lighting are all present on the 262-hectare property. The lack of basic facilities has caused committee members to voice their displeasure, with Chairperson Leslie Mhangwa criticising the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) for misrepresenting the project’s status.
“We spoke to ZESA, and they assured us all stakeholders would be here. We expected the contractor to attend. That’s why Members are unhappy,” the official stated.
Also, the lack of substantial development and the access road’s poor state have caused displeasure among the committee members.
“The Gwanda solar project, awarded to Intratek Zimbabwe under Wicknell Chivayo’s leadership, was meant to deliver 100MW of power to the national grid. Instead, the project became a textbook case of graft. Despite receiving an advance payment of USD 5 million, the project remains a barren field with little progress made since its inception in 2015. This debacle not only highlighted the government’s failure to enforce accountability but also left the energy sector reeling from a loss of public trust. Critics argue that promises like the 2026 load-shedding deadline ring hollow when previous pledges, such as Gwanda, have resulted in wastage and unmet expectations,” reported another media outlet ZimEye.
Tungamirai Chinhengo, legal advisor for ZESA Holdings, explained the contractor, Intratrek Zimbabwe Pvt Ltd, not being present.
“The contract remains valid following the 2023 Supreme Court judgement, but the contractor cannot mobilise until certain conditions are met,” he said.
Intratrek mobilised in 2016 for preparatory work, but was compelled to demobilise when the contract was terminated in 2018, Chinhengo continued.
“The termination occurred because the conditions precedent were not met. A protracted legal battle followed, resolved by the Supreme Court in December 2023,” Chinhengo explained.
According to Forbes Chanakira, Acting Project Technical Director at ZPC (Zimbabwe Power Company Limited), the latter gave Intratrek a USD 51.7 million advance. Some USD 2.1 million went to the feasibility study, USD 2.8 million to pre-commencement costs, and the remainder to VAT.