NAMIBIA VOTE: SA company denies links to controversial Zimbabwean businessman, threatens legal action

By The Namibian

NAMIBIA: South African corporation Ren-Form has threatened legal action after being linked to controversial Zimbabwean ex-convict-cum-businessman Wicknell Chivayo.

Ren-Form was hand-picked to print ballot papers to be used in Namibia’s presidential and National Assembly elections next month.

Its legal representative, South African law firm Mathopo Attorneys, describes linkages to Chivayo, a name dropper with proximity to Zimbabwean president Emmerson Mnangagwa, as unsubstantiated, false and malicious.

Lawyer Tshepo Mathopo says the allegations could tarnish the close corporation’s image.

“Ren-Form CC categorically denies the alleged relations or connections with a certain Wicknell Chivayo. Ren-Form CC specifically denies that Chivayo is its agent, associates, employee or director,” Mathopo said in a letter on Tuesday.

Ren-Form was recently awarded a N$6.2-million contract by the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) to print ballot papers for the upcoming elections.

Mathopo expressed concern over media reports from political parties alleging corruption and maladministration in the close corporation’s contract with the ECN.

“Ren-Form CC has on numerous occasions placed on record in the public domain that the allegations of corruption and price inflation levelled against it in connection with the Zimbabwe elections are false, malicious and were made by certain individuals who, to date, have failed to produce any evidence to substantiate the same,” Mathopo said.

He also said Ren-Form CC did not engage in any corrupt or criminal activity to secure the contract.

“The allegations of corruption in the awarding of the contract to it are also categorically refuted or denied by the ECN in its media statement issued on 18 October,” he said.

Mathopo said the widely circulated allegations are injurious to Ren-Form’s reputation and to its relationship with employees, clients, suppliers and stakeholders.

“Ren-Form CC takes pride in and will jealously guard its reputation and good name of conducting its business morally, ethically and with great integrity, which is evidenced not only by its many years of growth and success, but also by its accreditations and member affiliations,” Mathopo said.

Mathopo further said Ren-Form has instructed its legal team to pursue all legal options against those responsible for “false and malicious allegations” related to the ECN contract.

Mathopo said the reports were attributed to the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM).

PDM president McHenry Venaani on Tuesday, during a public protest against the award of the contract, said: “Why are you not questioning this and saying ‘guys, why pick a corruption-tainted company?’. Why is Swapo just mum? We will not allow corruption.”

The ECN has sent a delegation comprising 18 political parties taking part in the elections to South Africa to observe the design, layout, production, printing, packaging and delivery of ballot papers.

The delegation is expected to return on 29 October.

Independent Patriots for Change spokesperson Imms Nashinge, who is part of the delegation, says the process is going well.

“There were a few concerns regarding the ballot, particularly the placement of our party emblems and logos. However, those issues were addressed, and the printing of parliamentary ballots began smoothly yesterday at 15h00 and is still in progress,” he says.

Nashinge says Ren-Form is well organised.

“The printing of the presidential ballots was supposed to start, but there have been a few changes to the schedule,” he says.

Nashinge is looking forward to the packaging process.

“We will ensure that the numbers align with the agreed arrangements from our plenary meetings,” he says.

Meanwhile, the National Empowerment Fighting Corruption (NEFC) has raised concerns over the fact that no Namibian police officers are monitoring the ballot printing process.

“The printing goes beyond sleep time. We need Namibian police officers to monitor the process 24 hours,” he says.