Wicknell Urged to Help Evacuate Stranded Zimbabweans in Iran and Wicknell Chivayo Urged to Assist in Evacuating Stranded Zimbabweans from Iran and Israel

As geopolitical tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East, fears are mounting for Zimbabwean citizens currently residing in Israel and Iran. With the United States and other nations already evacuating their nationals using private charter companies, Zimbabweans have taken to social media to sound the alarm—and to call on the country’s wealthiest elites, particularly flamboyant businessman Wicknell Chivayo and fuel mogul Kuda Tagwirei, to step in and help.

The message is simple but urgent: “Zimbabweans in Israel and Iran, are you safe? Our government is quiet. The U.S. is evacuating its citizens using two private companies. We’re calling on the country’s mbingas (Wicknell Chivayo)—@wicknellchivayo and Kuda Tagwirei—to use their private jets and fly you all out.”

This appeal has quickly gone viral, as concerned citizens and relatives of those stuck abroad anxiously await action. Social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), have become a rallying point for calls to the country’s wealthiest figures. Prominent political commentator and Presidential spokesperson George Charamba, known on X as @Jamwanda2, was among those tagged in posts demanding urgent coordination and support.

The posts appeal not just to government structures, but to the moral responsibility of Zimbabwe’s so-called “mbingas”—a local slang term used to describe wealthy, high-rolling individuals known for displays of opulence and power. With the Zimbabwean government yet to announce any formal evacuation plan, citizens are appealing directly to those who not only have the resources to help, but have previously demonstrated capacity for large-scale philanthropic gestures.

Wicknell Chivayo Urged to Assist in Evacuating Stranded Zimbabweans from Iran and Israel

Wicknell Chivayo, for instance, has made headlines for donating luxury vehicles to churches, paying off debts for musicians, and recently boasting about plans to acquire a US$75 million Gulfstream G700 private jet. Kuda Tagwirei, one of the most influential businessmen in Zimbabwe, is believed to have access to significant resources through his business empire in the fuel and infrastructure sectors.

“Now is the time for our mbingas to prove their patriotism,” one user wrote. “Flying stranded Zimbabweans out of conflict zones would not just be an act of kindness—it would be a national service.”

The urgency stems from increasing unrest in both Iran and Israel, with concerns over military escalations, airstrikes, and travel lockdowns. The safety of foreign nationals, including Zimbabweans—some of whom are students, domestic workers, and small-scale traders—has come under threat. Many are reportedly stuck with limited access to emergency travel funds or safe exit routes.

With Western countries actively coordinating commercial evacuations, Zimbabweans are questioning why their government and its well-connected allies are not doing the same.“It’s no longer about luxury or Instagram posts,” said a Harare-based activist. “If you can afford to spend millions on cars and jets, why not charter one flight to bring home 100 citizens in danger? This is the real test of leadership and heart.”

So far, there has been no official response from either Wicknell Chivayo or Kuda Tagwirei regarding the urgent public appeal to evacuate stranded Zimbabweans from Israel and Iran. Wicknell Chivayo, known for his flamboyant lifestyle and frequent social media activity, has yet to acknowledge the growing call for humanitarian action. Instead, he has continued to post content that showcases his wealth and political associations. In contrast, Tagwirei, who is notoriously private, has remained characteristically silent.

Meanwhile, families of Zimbabweans stuck in the conflict zones of Israel and Iran are growing increasingly desperate. Some have shared distressing updates from their loved ones, detailing worsening security conditions, restricted movement, and limited access to embassy support. With no evacuation plan announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Zimbabwean diplomatic missions in either country, hope is now turning toward private intervention.

The absence of a state-led response has sparked public outcry, with many arguing that individuals with significant wealth and influence—like Wicknell Chivayo—should use their resources to step in where the government has fallen short. Social media users have been especially vocal, tagging Chivayo directly and urging him to deploy his rumored US$75 million private jet to airlift his fellow countrymen to safety.

“This is the time to prove that being a patriot means more than buying luxury cars and making donations when the cameras are rolling,” one user wrote. “We need action. We need Wicknell Chivayo to step up and show that he can use his wealth to save lives, not just impress.”

Political analysts have weighed in, noting that while the government bears the ultimate responsibility for protecting its citizens abroad, moments like this test the moral priorities of the country’s elite. According to international relations expert Dr. Tafadzwa Manyika, the unfolding crisis presents an opportunity for Zimbabwe’s wealthy individuals to align themselves with public service and genuine national interest.

“This isn’t just a call for help—it’s a moment of reckoning,” Manyika said. “Zimbabweans want to see their elites act with compassion, not just extravagance. If they respond, it could change public perceptions. If they ignore it, the damage to their reputations could be lasting.”

The situation in the Middle East continues to deteriorate, and with global evacuations underway, the pressure on Zimbabwe’s powerful figures is mounting. For the families of those caught in the escalating crisis, each passing day without intervention deepens the sense of abandonment.

For now, the plea to Wicknell Chivayo and others like him remains unanswered. But the public continues to watch closely, hoping that the country’s most visible moguls will rise to the occasion—not with statements or selfies, but with real, life-saving action.