Harare: A self-styled knight and controversial businessman in Zimbabwe, Wicknell Chivayo, has captivated the nation with his grandiose habit of gifting luxury cars and large sums of cash to individuals he deems patriotic. Known for his flashy lifestyle, Chivayo's extravagant giveaways include Mercedes-Benzes, Toyota SUVs, and Range Rovers, which he presents to a diverse group of recipients such as music stars, footballers, church leaders, and loyalists of the ruling Zanu-PF party.
According to BBC, Chivayo, a 44-year-old tycoon, has a penchant for luxury, often seen driving his white Rolls-Royce and maintaining a fleet of personalized high-end vehicles. Known as "Sir Wicknell," he frequently posts about these lavish gifts on social media, even going so far as to repost humorous memes about his generosity. His actions have garnered praise from Zanu-PF accounts, applauding his philanthropic efforts.
Chivayo's generosity extends beyond vehicles. He has also provided houses and educational scholarships to followers of his apostolic church, the Zion Christian Church. His social media presence, which began in 2013, reflects Zimbabwe's growing "flex culture," where displaying wealth both in person and online has become increasingly popular. Despite his media shyness and aversion to journalists, his lavish lifestyle and business dealings have kept him in the public eye.
His business pursuits span across government tenders in renewable energy, engineering procurement, and construction projects, with operations in Kenya, South Africa, and Tanzania. Last year, his company IMC Communications was licensed as the partner for Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet service provider. Despite allegations of corruption and his ties to political figures, Chivayo vehemently denies any wrongdoing.
Chivayo's wealth and close ties to power have not come without controversy. He has been embroiled in fraud allegations related to a $172.8 million solar power plant project, although he was later acquitted of all charges. Further scrutiny arose when the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission launched an inquiry into his alleged involvement in a tender to supply election materials to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.
Despite these controversies, Chivayo remains unfazed, dismissing allegations as politically motivated. He continues to maintain his luxurious lifestyle, recently making headlines for a supposed leak regarding a $500 million contract to supply cancer treatment equipment to the Zimbabwe government. Chivayo and the government have both denied these allegations, pointing out that the purported contract is unsigned.
As a father of two who recently celebrated an elaborate wedding, Chivayo has expressed disinterest in pursuing a political career, focusing instead on his business ventures and wealth accumulation. His actions and connections with power ensure that his name remains synonymous with both wealth and controversy in Zimbabwe.