Priscilla Chigumba, the chairperson of Zimbabwe’s Electoral Commission (ZEC), has been at the center of controversy surrounding Zimbabwe’s August 2023 elections. Allegations of procurement irregularities, election fraud, and bias have plagued her tenure, casting a shadow over the electoral process.
Before we delve in the crux of the matter it is important we bring on a seemingly related issue, were absolute power corrupts absolutely. The related story is a popular one from the Greek mythology.
The Moirai, also known as the Fates, are a trio of goddesses in Greek mythology who wielded immense power over the lives of mortals.
Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos were responsible for spinning, measuring, and cutting the thread of fate, respectively, determining the course of an individual’s life from birth to death.
While they are often regarded as impartial and uncorruptible, certain myths suggest that even the Moirai can be influenced by corruption.
One such myth involves Alcmene, the mother of Heracles (Hercules), who attempts to bribe the Moirai with golden threads in exchange for a longer life for her son.
This story implies that the Moirai can be swayed by material offerings, compromising their impartiality. Similarly, Aphrodite’s attempt to persuade the Moirai to spare the life of her lover, Adonis, suggests that the goddesses can be influenced by personal relationships and favors.
These myths highlight the idea that corruption can permeate even the highest levels of power, including the realm of the gods.
The Moirai’s vulnerability to corruption serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of bribery, favoritism, and the abuse of power.
While the Moirai remain largely revered for their wisdom and authority, these stories underscore the importance of accountability and the need for even the most powerful entities to remain transparent and impartial.
The Moirai’s vulnerability to corruption, as depicted in Greek mythology, serves as a reminder that no one is completely immune to the influences of power and greed.
Even the most revered and feared entities can be swayed by corruption, emphasizing the need for eternal vigilance and accountability in all aspects of life.
This Greek mythology on corruption led the writer to pen this article in connection with corruption allegations of highest magnitude which the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) boss Priscilla Chigumba is accused to have committed.
Chigumba besides being a former High Court Judge, she is not new to corrupt allegations, besides being ‘the Moirai’ in the justice system in Zimbabwe as she had power to sentence an accused to prison confinement or pardon the same accused.
Priscilla Chigumba in 2016 is reportedly to solicited for a $20 000 bribe from one of the parties in a case she was presiding over when she was still a High Court Judge and issue was revealed by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
At the time, Godfrey Chidyausiku the then Chief Justice claimed that Chigumba had a case to answer on allegations that she tried to solicit a $20 000 bribe to throw out a civil case that was before her in 2013.
Chigumba who is running for a second term as ZEC boss, is doing so even though her background is marred with corruption allegations and was not exonerated before she commenced duty at ZEC.
Before August 2023 elections, Chigumba faced criticism for the ZEC’s handling of voter registration and the procurement of election materials. Opposition parties and civil society groups raised concerns about the transparency and fairness of the process.
During the elections, reports of voting irregularities, intimidation, and fraud surfaced, with some parties claiming that the ZEC was complicit in the malpractices. Chigumba dismissed the allegations, but the controversy continued to swirl.
After the elections, the ZEC declared the ruling party the winner, but the opposition rejected the results, citing fraud and electoral manipulation. Chigumba’s leadership was again questioned, with calls for her resignation and an independent investigation into the allegations.
Corruption allegations engulfing the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) have deepened after ZimLive Publication was allegedly shown evidence that the elections body ordered 2,000 non-flushable toilets on the eve of the August 2023 elections at a cost of US$7.6 million.
The toilets, allegedly priced at an astronomical US$3,800 per unit when they retail for about US$300 in South Africa, were only delivered in April this year about eight months after the election.
Alleged voice messages from Wicknell Chivayo have exposed a corruption scandal involving a US$40 million Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) tender.
In the audios, Chivayo detailed how payments from this deal were distributed, highlighting significant figures, including Pedzisayi “Scott” Sakupwanya, ZEC chairperson Priscilla Chigumba, and Central Intelligence Organization (CIO) Director-General Isaac Moyo.
The money, transferred to Better Brands Security (Pty) Ltd in South Africa, was shared among various individuals, with Chivayo receiving US$150,000 and Chigumba US$100,000.
Chivayo’s alleged leaked audio explains that the first phase of the tender, amounting to about US$20 million, involved inflated invoices to fund rewards and bribes.
In the audio, he accuses Moses Mpofu of indiscretion, which led to internal conflicts and threats from other dissatisfied parties.
This fallout resulted in Chivayo excluding Mpofu and Mike Chimombe from future deals, despite their claims to more substantial shares.
The allegations against Chigumba and ZEC have serious implications for Zimbabwe’s democratic process and the legitimacy of its elections. As the country moves forward, addressing these concerns and ensuring the integrity of its electoral system is crucial.