Wicknell Munodaani Chivayo has ignited a storm of public outrage after a video surfaced online showing him boasting about his intention to purchase a state-of-the-art Gulfstream G700 private jet—an aircraft valued at between US$75 million and US$83.5 million. Allegations are swirling that the flamboyant tycoon plans to fund the acquisition using proceeds from inflated state contracts and public funds diverted for personal use.
In the viral clip, Wicknell Chivayo is heard bragging that his future jet will be branded with the initials “WMC 777,” further flaunting his wealth and positioning himself as Zimbabwe’s most ostentatious businessman. Known for his unashamed displays of luxury and his close ties to President Emmerson Mnangagwa and senior ZANU PF figures, Chivayo’s latest revelation has once again spotlighted the deep-rooted corruption believed to be fuelling his lifestyle.
The Gulfstream G700 is among the most elite business jets available globally, with capabilities including long-range intercontinental flights, cutting-edge avionics, and an ultra-luxurious cabin that can be fitted with a private bedroom, entertainment suite, and fully equipped kitchen. Guardian Jet, a leading global aircraft brokerage, lists the G700’s cost between US$75 million and US$83.5 million depending on customizations—making it a symbol of extreme affluence and exclusivity.
Wicknell Chivayo, who already owns a US$12 million private jet, appears undeterred by the intense backlash over his wealth displays, which come at a time when the majority of Zimbabweans are grappling with high inflation, record unemployment, fuel shortages, and chronic underfunding of public services such as healthcare and education.
Public reaction to the video has been swift and scathing. Social media platforms were flooded with criticism, with many Zimbabweans expressing anger over what they view as the looting of national resources by politically connected elites. “How can one man shamelessly flaunt such wealth in a country where hospitals lack basic medicine and children learn under trees?” questioned one user on X (formerly Twitter).
Wicknell Chivayo Sparks Outrage Over Plans to Buy US$75 Million Private Jet Allegedly Using Looted State Funds
Opposition leaders have also weighed in. Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere issued a strong statement condemning the alleged misuse of state resources. “Wicknell Chivayo is not a businessman in the conventional sense. He is a political beneficiary of a corrupt patronage system that siphons taxpayer money into the pockets of cronies,” Mahere said. “There must be a full investigation into the source of his funds and all contracts awarded to him.”
Wicknell Chivayo’s name has long been associated with murky government deals, especially in the energy sector. He received a multimillion-dollar advance for the Gwanda Solar Project under the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), a project that has yet to be completed years after payment. Despite several investigations and parliamentary inquiries, no legal action has been successfully taken against him, further fuelling accusations of state protection and impunity.
Civil society organisations have renewed calls for institutions such as the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) and the Office of the Auditor General to urgently probe Chivayo’s dealings. “Zimbabwe is bleeding through high-level corruption,” said Harare-based political analyst and anti-corruption advocate Tinashe Mukoko. “The Chivayo jet saga is just the latest example of how public funds are being looted to fund lavish lifestyles while the rest of the population suffers.”
Government officials have remained conspicuously silent on the matter, refusing to comment despite widespread media inquiries. The Ministry of Finance has also not addressed public concerns about the possible misuse of state-linked funds in relation to Wicknell Chivayo’s reported acquisition.
Meanwhile, defenders of Wicknell Chivayo argue that he is simply a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist unfairly targeted by critics and the media. They point to his recent donations of vehicles and cash to churches, schools, and individual beneficiaries as proof of his generosity. However, these acts of charity have done little to quiet critics who see them as part of a public relations strategy to distract from deeper questions about corruption.
As economic challenges continue to grip Zimbabwe, Wicknell Chivayo’s extravagance remains a lightning rod for frustration. With growing pressure on state institutions to act, the jet scandal could become a defining moment in the public’s demand for greater accountability and transparency.
Whether Chivayo’s Gulfstream dream materializes or not, the controversy has already deepened public distrust in government-linked business dealings—and intensified scrutiny on how the nation’s wealth is being used, or misused, behind closed doors.
