from MARCUS MUSHONGA in Harare, Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe Bureau
HARARE, (CAJ News) – DEPENDING on perspective, Wicknell Chivayo, who has died in a helicopter crash in Zimbabwe, was either a businessman, philanthropist, fraudulent tenderpreneur or an enabler of repressive ruling parties in some African countries.
Or he was all.
On Wednesday evening, Chivayo (43) was among five people, including his wife, killed in the crash in Marondera, more than 70 kilometres east of the Zimbabwean capital, Harare.
Never far from controversy, he was one of the most divisive figures of his generation in Zimbabwe and some countries on the continent.
The reactions as news of the death of “Sir Wicknell” filtered through were testament to that. The demise of the father-of-two was received with sorrow locally and abroad.
However, in equal measure, some reacted with elation, something that triggered a fightback from the deceased’s allies, who viewed this as “unAfrican”.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa led the condolences for the now-deceased man, who catapulted to prominence not only by flaunting his wealth but also by posting images online of presidents of numerous Sub-Saharan countries hosting him at their respective State Houses for meetings whose details were kept under wraps but treated with suspicion by respective populations.
Wicknell Chivayo with Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan
Aside from being an ally of Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Chivayo would post pictures of himself hugging, shaking hands with or standing beside Malawi’s Lazarus Chakwera (now former) and Peter Mutharika, Samia Suluhu Hassan (Tanzania), Yoweri Museveni (Uganda), King Mswati III (Eswatini), William Ruto, Cyril Ramaphosa and Bola Ahmed Tinubu (Nigeria), among others.
Allegations were that he was the architect behind alleged schemes by ruling parties in these countries to rig elections.
Such allegations stemmed from controversies surrounding lucrative state tenders awarded to supply voting materials and ballot papers through a South African printing firm, Ren-Form CC.
As recently as August, Ruto was filmed personally driving Chivayo to a helipad following the latter’s visit to Kenya.
“I am being driven by the President of Kenya. God is the greatest,” the now-deceased is quoted as saying in a selfie video.
In his condolence message, Mnangagwa, an ally of Chivayo in the factionalised Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF), said the late businessman had “a grand vision” for his family, for Zimbabwe, Southern Africa and the continent, “in pursuit of which he, in his own way, deepened our programme of engagement and re-engagement, thus raising the Zimbabwean flag high.”
Wicknell Chivayo with Eswatini King Mswati III
“Indeed, he embodied the Second Republic’s ethos of indigenous enterprise tempered with a human face, an admirable legacy which is sure to inspire a generation,” Mnangagwa said.
Chivayo was a regular feature as part of the president’s entourage at state and party functions. The last time they were pictured together was in August at a gathering of an apostolic church Chivayo was a member of.
Ruto said he had lost “a dear friend whose warmth touched many people.”
“I will remember him for his friendship, his energy and his deep conviction in the possibilities of our continent.”
This “friendship” was a source of controversy after it emerged Ruto’s government had allegedly issued Chivayo with an express Kenyan passport. Ruto’s government did not explain.
Mswati III officially granted Chivayo citizenship and a diplomatic passport in June this year “to facilitate regional energy and infrastructure business”.
Suluhu took time out from her ongoing 90-day mourning period following the recent loss of her husband to mourn!
Wicknell Chivayo with Nigerian president Bola Tinubu
“Zimbabwe and Africa have lost a young and visionary entrepreneur who touched the lives of many,” she stated.
This elicited a reaction from Tanzanian human rights activist Liberatus Mwang’ombe, who retold ongoing sentiment in Tanzania that Chivayo’s shady business abetted the rigging of the 2025 polls by printing the ballots and supplying equipment for a vote that ended in killings.
“You are not mourning a young entrepreneur. You are mourning a partner of your suppressive regime,” he responded to Hassan.
In Zimbabwe and those countries, there is some elation at the demise.
“Presidents are mourning, citizens are celebrating. What a perfect juxtaposition,” said an analyst.
Particularly in his country, some are celebrating the death.
While this is seen as immoral, Chivayo has over the years incurred the wrath of the poverty-stricken masses.
Owner of an expansive multi-million-dollar international real estate portfolio across Southern Africa, he also had a penchant for the latest vehicles on the global market.
Wicknell Chivayo with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema
At the time of his passing, it is reported he owned a personal fleet of over 175 luxury cars stationed across his properties.
He reportedly fully owned a private jet and three helicopters.
The man consistently gifted luxury vehicles to public figures, musicians, church leaders, opposition politicians, journalists and sports stars, active or retired, most known or thought to be aligned to the ruling party.
Those outside ZANU-PF were allegedly lured through such trinkets to join the party or tone down their criticism. These are alleged to be proceeds of money laundering.
They and his supporters lauded him as a philanthropist.
Longtime critic of all governments, pre- and post-independence, legendary musician Thomas Mapfumo had landed on the eve of Chivayo’s death for a US$1 million offer to perform at a wedding of Chivayo’s benefactor, a top musician, this Saturday, and at the now-deceased’s birthday in November.
The wedding has since been postponed.
Among those “celebrating” the fatal crash online are those expressing “condolences” to all other occupants of the helicopter, except Chivayo. Some even “mourn” the helicopter.
“People celebrate the end of an era,” Isiah Danai said.
“He was a divisive character, used the power of money whose source many people are suspicious of. He bought pastors, celebrities, politicians, lawyers and sports teams, but never assisted the poor.”
Wicknell Chivayo flanked by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa (left) and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa
He infamously served prison time in 2004 for fraud, and his first publicised tender was the US$172-million one for a major solar project in the southern town of Gwanda.
The project was not delivered, money was not repaid and he was not prosecuted.
Despite Chivayo securing tenders he is linked to, not much is known about the companies he owns, raising further speculation of murky deals with governments.
“Africa is a very strange continent. A dollar billionaire dies in a plane crash and more than 24 hours later, no company has come out to mourn its founder,” a commentator said.
With Zimbabwe having a history of accidents attributed to the long-running factional battles in ZANU-PF, the rumour mill is on overdrive again.
That is considering the late was in the dominant faction that has long endorsed the extension of Mnangagwa’s term beyond 2028, when elections were due.
Hence the speculation this death was an elimination by some in the party.
There is even some narrative that this is a “stage-managed” death so as to avoid threats and possible deaths from opponents.
His last post on X, on the day of his reported death, is titled, “APPRECIATING RELATIONSHIPS BUILT OVER DECADES … SAVED THE BEST FOR LAST.”
He was gifting a luxury car to one of his former lawyers, the same vehicle one of his ex-lawyers had declined.
– CAJ News