Zimbabwean businessman in court over fake coronavirus contracts

A Zimbabwean businessman is due to appear in court after being charged in connection with a multi-million dollar scam to provide coronavirus medicine and equipment to the state.

Delish Nguwaya faces two charges of misrepresentation and fraud after he allegedly tried to secure contracts to supply medical equipment to a state firm under false pretences.  

He is the first person to be arrested in connection with the scandal that was originally exposed on social media.

The businessman had failed a government vetting process just a few months earlier but managed to set up a new company and secure millions of dollars’ worth of government contracts to supply medicine and equipment - some at hugely inflated prices.

The suspicious behaviour prompted questioning online and the government has said it has now cancelled Mr Nguwaya’s contract. 

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has long pledged to crack down on corruption but his administration has only managed to secure two convictions in almost three years, despite many prominent arrests. 

Photo: New Zimbabwe