Controversial businessman, Wicknell Chivayo has responded to newly appointed Minister of Energy and Power Development Fortune Chasi’s demands for him to return the US$5 million that he was advanced by the Zimbabwe Power Company.

Chivayo’s company, Intratek Zimbabwe was awarded the US$200 million tender by the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) for the construction of the Gwanda Solar Power Project but meaningful progress is yet to made on the project almost three years later despite the fact that Chivayo received an advance of US$5 million from Zesa in irregular circumstances.

Due to the lack of progress, the government tried to prosecute Chivayo but were defeated at the courts with the judges ruling that the businessman had committed no crimes.

However, soon after his appointment, Chasi went on the attack and called on Chivayo to return all the that he had received from Zesa.

The Minister’s demands did not seem to trouble Chivayo who told Zimlive,

“All I can say is that against all odds, success of the project is inevitable. The minister is a very senior advocate and level-headed politician of unquestionable integrity. When he’s fully briefed of the facts on the ground, he will come up with a conclusion based on an informed position,” he said.