Controversial businessman Wicknell Chiayo has donated US$100,000 cash, a home solar system, and a US$40,000 Toyota Hilux D4D to the Roman Catholic Church’s St Gerard’s Parish in Greystone Park, Harare.
The 40-year-old, who shot to fame after his company was awarded a US$173 million tender to build a solar power plant in Gwanda, said his donation was “thank you” to the church for standing with him when his mother died. Chivayo attends the Johanne Masowe eChishanu apostolic sect.
“This is my small way of saying thank you to the church for all the endless support they gave us as a family during and after my mother’s funeral,” Chivayo told The Herald. “Losing a parent is the most painful thing on this planet and they made the burden lighter for us. When the head priest drives around using the vehicle for God’s work and duties, may he remember us in his prayers as we are nothing without the Lord’s blessings.”
St Gerard’s Parish Priest, Father Mark Chikuni, said they would use the donated money to construct a prayer and meeting room for members of his late mother’s Sacred Heart Guild in her honor.
“Also being contemplated is the completion of projects at the church’s International Shrine to Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Charlotte Brooke, Harare, using part of the funds. We pray that one day you will visit this sacred shrine and see how your mother has been immortalized,” Fr Chikuni wrote to Chivayo.
Chivayo said he grew up in the church and was at one time an altar server. He joined Johanne Masowe eChishanu when he turned 30.
In April, Chivayo bought his church leader, Lawrence Lavious Katsiru, and his wife, Violet, two new off-road Toyota vehicles, a 2023 Hilux GR Sport and a 2023 Fortuner VX, respectively, worth US$162,000. He said they were “Easter gifts.”
Chivayo followed that up by splashing on six luxury cars reportedly worth US$3.5 million, all imported in just over a month. The fleet includes four Rolls Royce vehicles bought in London and a 2023 Mercedes Benz Maybach and a 2023 Range Rover imported from South Africa.
The businessman’s spending habits, all posted on social media, have set tongues wagging and reportedly triggered inquiries from the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority and the Reserve Bank’s Financial Intelligence Unit.
Chivayo refuses to disclose the source of his newfound wealth after years of costly litigation battling allegations of fraud over the Gwanda solar project which stalled after power utility, ZESA, had already paid him US$5.6 million. He was acquitted after two trials and ordered by a court to complete the project. ZESA refuses to pay and has appealed to the Supreme Court.
Speculation that he has won a new government tender is rife, with internet claims linking him to a recent government order of 32 helicopters from Russia for US$320 million.
His associates also claim new success in winning tenders in regional countries after allegedly introducing the Chinese company, CHiNT Electric. CHiNT was one of the companies backing Chivayo’s solar project in Gwanda.
Chivayo told ZimLive: “You sound bothered that I have money. Do you know anyone who is missing money? Of course, you don’t. So don’t bother me.”
In other news – Kendall Jenner & Bad Bunny Pictured Arriving At The Beverly Hills hotel
Model Kendall Jenner, 27, and the “Where She Goes” hitmaker Bad Bunny (Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio), 29, were couple goals while hitting up the celebrity hotspot together on Jun. 21. While arriving at the lush hotel on Wed. night, The Kardashians star rocked a pair of bicycle shorts and a white crop top. Kendall completed the look with a black cardigan, sunglasses, and orange sneakers.
Meanwhile, for his part, her date opted for a casual and cozy look that featured a navy blue t-shirt and matching sweatpants. Bad Bunny added a Boston Red Sox baseball cap and sunglasses to add some mystery to his look. Later, in the light of day, the 27-year-old and Benito were all smiles as he drove her around in an adorable white vintage pickup truck near the hotel. While inside the truck, Kendall appeared to be wearing a similar cardigan and white top complete with black sunglasses. Bad Bunny was spotted driving and laughing during their outing. This time, he swapped his baseball cap for a simple green one and sported trendy sunglasses with gold trim. Read More
