Harare – Controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo has shrugged off relentless accusations of corruption and overspending – splashing nearly US$2.7 million on his Johanne Masowe eChishanu church in just nine days.
Between August 17 and 25, Chivayo funded cars, luxury buses and cash handouts for church leaders and congregants, insisting he will “never stop” giving.
On August 17 he handed out 13 vehicles worth US$300,000. Five days later, he announced the purchase of ten brand-new buses costing US$1.95 million, declaring: “This is my small way of contributing towards easing the burden of transporting my fellow church members.”
This Monday, he added another US$487,000 in giveaways — including three Toyota Fortuners, two Hilux pickups, eight Toyota Aquas and US$100,000 in cash to two church leaders he praised for their political loyalty.
Chivayo, who regularly publicises his largesse on social media, describes his giving as a spiritual obligation. “I will never stop, I will never tire, for this is the anointing and spiritual obligation placed upon me by the Holy Spirit,” he wrote.
But while he is embraced within his church, many Zimbabweans continue to question how he funds such extravagant donations in a country where basic services are collapsing.
Some see him as a product of indigenisation, others as a beneficiary of murky state contracts — allegations he has always denied.
What is beyond doubt is that in just over a week, Chivayo has once again proved he is the country’s most ostentatious benefactor — no amount of public bashing is slowing him down. – ZiFM/Twenty Four Seven
