HARARE – Wicknell Chivayo, the wealth-flaunting Zanu PF donor on Tuesday announced a $1,8 million giveaway to the 6,000 members of the Marondera branch of Johanne Masowe, his church.
Writing on social media, Chivayo said each member would get $300 in cash as well as two hampers “as a Christmas present.”
The 45-year-old Rolls Royce-pushing Intratrek Zimbabwe CEO, who has made a personal fortune from state contracts, last year gave members of the same church over 100 Toyota Acqua vehicles.
It is the latest in a long list of jaw-dropping donations Chivayo has made this year to a diverse cast of influencers, musicians, comedians, church leaders and Zanu PF politicians.
By some estimates, the publicly-disclosed donations are in excess of $75 million.
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission last week announced it was dropping its investigation into Chivayo over alleged corruption in the awarding of a $100 million tender to South African company Ren-Form CC to supply election materials for the 2023 elections.
ZACC said it found no evidence linking Chivayo to the contract, drawing criticism from transparency advocates.
Chivayo is one of Zanu PF’s biggest donors and is regularly seen in the company of President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Mnangagwa has denied using Chivayo as a front to buy influence, describing him as a “philanthropist.” – ZimLive
