Wicknell Chivayo, a prominent Zimbabwean businessman, has made an unexpected move, with his company, IMC Communications, transitioning into the road construction and maintenance industry.
Previously known for its work in telecommunications, IMC Communications gained attention after being awarded an Internet Service Provider (ISP) license by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz). The company had planned to partner with SpaceX’s Starlink as a local reseller, but those ambitions were thwarted after Potraz clarified that no company had been granted exclusive rights to offer Starlink services in Zimbabwe.
Despite the setback in the telecommunications sector, IMC Communications has now expanded its portfolio into the construction industry. Although the company has not officially confirmed which government contracts it has secured, a video circulating online shows IMC-branded road construction equipment, including rollers, pavers, and dump trucks, at a worksite. Workers in branded uniforms were also seen actively engaged in construction activities.
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The video, shared by CH Mukungunugwa, quickly gained traction on social media, raising questions about the company’s sudden foray into road construction. The public reaction has been mixed, with many Zimbabweans expressing concerns about how a company with no known history in construction secured such significant projects.
Some social media users questioned the transparency of the tender allocation process. “How does a communications company get a tender for road construction?” one user asked. Others expressed frustration, with some pointing out that the company had only recently pivoted into the construction business.
IMC
Critics have also raised suspicions about the political connections behind IMC Communications’ new venture. “This monopolization of opportunity by a singular figure is not merely suspicious—it is symptomatic of a captured state,” commented a user, alluding to the role of state-backed enterprises in awarding such lucrative contracts.
The shift in focus by IMC Communications has sparked debate about the role of business elites in Zimbabwe’s infrastructure development. While the company’s expansion into road construction remains a point of contention, it underscores the broader concerns over the allocation of government contracts and the influence of politically connected figures in the country’s economic landscape.
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