A report by Malawi-based The National Voice alleges the late Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo ran an eight-country a-rms and dr*g NETWORK spanning Zimbabwe, Malawi, Kenya, Tanzania, Chad, Sudan, South Africa, and Eswatini protected by senior political figures including regional presidents. The investigation claims a-rms moved via Malawi’s Kamuzu International Airport into Sudan, with South Africa as a financial hub, and cites U.S. intelligence. It follows Malawi’s arrest of former defence force commander Gen. Paul Valentino Phiri.
The Alleged Network
According to the investigation, the network allegedly spanned Zimbabwe, Malawi, Kenya, Tanzania, Chad, Sudan, South Africa, and Eswatini. It claims the operation reportedly moved military hardware, money, drugs, and precious minerals across borders.
The report alleges that Zimbabwe served as the initial financing base, with funds allegedly siphoned through fake tenders. South Africa is named as the alleged financial hub and a site for drug operations. Malawi is described as a logistical gateway, Kenya and Tanzania as passage and investor countries, Chad as an onward route, and Sudan as the final destination for weapons and gold.
The Alleged Route :
The investigation claims military hardware was concealed at Malawi’s Kamuzu International Airport before being moved through Chad into Sudan. It alleges that official paperwork, including an End User Certificate dated June 18, 2025, was used to present the shipment as a legitimate military consignment.
The Fall Chivayo, his wife Lucy Muteke, and three others d-ied on September 30, 2026, in a helicopter crash in Mashonaland East, Zimbabwe. Less than 24 hours later, Malawian authorities reportedly arrested former Malawi Defence Force commander General Paul Valentino Phiri on cr*minal charges related to illegal a-rms tr*ffick-ing.
US Intelligence
The report claims United States intelligence agencies identified the network and helped expose it, following the movement of military hardware, financial channels, and operations linked to illicit dr*gs.
Disclaimer
All allegations in this article come from The National Voice investigation. They have not been independently verified, and all named individuals are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise in a court of law.