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Wicknell Chivayo

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Wicknell Chivayo
Born (1982-11-22) 22 November 1982 (age 42)
Chivhu, Zimbabwe
NationalityZimbabwean
Other namesSir Wicknell[1]
OccupationEntrepreneur (Intratrek Zimbabwe)
Years active2006–present
Websiteintratrek-zw.com

Wicknell Chivayo (22 November 1982) is a Zimbabwean businessman and socialite known for his controversial rise to wealth and subsequent involvement in high-profile corruption scandals. He gained notoriety for his lavish lifestyle and connections to influential figures in Zimbabwean politics, often overshadowing his business ventures with accusations of corruption and fraud.[2][3]

Background and career

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After leaving school, Wicknell began working as a wages clerk at a local bus company at the age of 15. Later, he engaged in illegal money exchanging at Harare’s Union Avenue Flea Market, which is now known as Kwame Nkrumah Avenue.[4]

In January 2018, Zimbabwe's Energy and Power Development Minister Simon Khaya-Moyo said the contract between the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority's subsidiary ZPC and Chivayo was discussed in Cabinet (government) and his predecessor, Minister Samuel Undenge, failed to give a convincing explanation on why ZPC proceeded to pay Chivayo when no progress had been made on the project site.[5] On 22 January 2018 it was reported that ZPC actually paid Chivayo's company Intratek $7 million instead of the $5 million advance payment that was initially reported.[6] Chivayo single handedly sponsored the Zimbabwe national football team but later withdrew that sponsorship.[7][8][9] Chivayo was part of an audience that attended a meeting in South Africa held by current Zimbabwean president Emmerson Mnangagwa.[10]

President Emmerson Mnangagwa went to South Africa in December 2017, to address potential Zimbabwean investors based in that nation.[10] Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa had plans to investigate Wicknell Chivayo over $ 1bond worth of tender business from the Zimbabwean government.[11] According to the Zimbabwean government's state broadcaster ZBC Chivayo was placed under oath by the Zimbabwean parliament and asked to explain how he used the money allocated to his company, Intratrek.[12] It was also reported that Chivayo then disowned Intratrek while the company's CEO Yousouf Ahmed through his lawyer claimed he was not aware of how Chivayo had spent the money and distanced himself from the charge.[13]

Controversy

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Mtshabezi, Gwanda, the town of the projects in question

In 2017 the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) and the Zimbabwean Parliament probed Chivayo's electricity power contracts that included a USD$200 million dollar power contract for Gwanda, a small town in Zimbabwe and other power contracts that had an accumulated value in excess of USD$600 million of which none were ever delivered.[14] In late January 2018, general secretary of the Energy Sector Workers' Union of Zimbabwe (ESWUZ), Gibson Mushunje, claimed that Chivayo was involved in power contracts reaching up to USD$684 million.[15] In March 2018, Chivayo drew attention for buying shoes worth R20 000 South African rand and jokingly comparing himself to Adolf Hitler for having so many shoes[16][17]

Arrests

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In 2004 Chivayo was charged with fraud involving ZAR 837 000 South African rand while other's believed the amount to exceed R2 000 000 South African rand and was incarcerated at Chikurubi Prison, a maximum security prison in Zimbabwe.[18][19] In December 2017 Chivayo was arrested over a $5 million United States dollar ZESA contract.[20]

Zimbabwean politics

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Chivayo questioned Nelson Chamisa’s claim at a Movement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai rally that Zimbabwe will have bullet trains.[21] Grace Mugabe, Zimbabwe's former first lady is believed to be associated with Chivayo.[22] Energy Sector Workers Union of Zimbabwe accused the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) of providing funds to Chivayo and Grace Mugabe.[23] Chivayo apologised to former higher education minister Jonathan Moyo and offered to donate education material worth $50 000 to a Tsholotsho District school of his choice, a development that was likely viewed as support to the Generation 40 (G40) faction of ZANU–PF.[24]

Personal life

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In 2017 Chivayo married Sonja Madzikanda and it was reported that a bride price of USD$50 000 was paid.[25] Popular international artist Oliver Mtukudzi serenaded guests at Chivayo's wedding.[26] In 2018 Chivayo made news for publishing his son's (John Chenjera-Chivayo) DNA test results to prove that the child was his son.[27][28]

References

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  1. ^ "Zimbabwe Military Visit Controversial Millionaire "sir" Wicknell Chivayo's Home". The Zambian Observer. Archived from the original on 20 February 2018. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  2. ^ "Zesa Demands $5 Million back from Wicknell Chivayo". Bulawayo 24 News. Archived from the original on 8 January 2018. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  3. ^ Share, Felex (1 June 2016). "ZPC nails minister •' . . . he pressured us to pay Chivayo $5m' • Businessman admits failure to raise guarantee". The Herald. Archived from the original on 22 July 2018.
  4. ^ Obimma, Stanley (2 April 2024). "Wicknell Chivayo Biography, Age, Business, Wife, Net Worth". StanleyPlug. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  5. ^ "Chivayo deals: Heads to roll at Zesa". The Herald. Archived from the original on 24 January 2018. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  6. ^ "Chivayo deals: Zimbabwe Power Company now says Wicknell Chivayo was paid $7 million advance". The Zimbabwe Mail. 22 January 2018. Archived from the original on 23 January 2018.
  7. ^ "Wicknell Chivayo: A fool and his money". Zimbabwe Independent. Archived from the original on 26 May 2024. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  8. ^ "Chivayo dumps Warriors". NewsDay. Archived from the original on 30 December 2017. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  9. ^ "Zifa in bid to replace Chivayo". The Standard. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  10. ^ a b "Zimbabwe 'Sir' Wicknell at Mnangagwa SA Meeting". New Zimbabwe. Archived from the original on 7 January 2018. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  11. ^ "Mnangagwa Targets Wicknell Chivayo: MASSIVE BOOST LOOMS". zimeye. Archived from the original on 26 May 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  12. ^ "UPDATED: Parly grills Wicknell Chivayo". ZBC News. Archived from the original on 19 February 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  13. ^ "WATCH: Drama As Wicknell Chivayo Disowns Own Company, And Director Says He Doesn't Know How Wicknell Spent the $5 million ZESA Cash". ZimEye. Archived from the original on 13 February 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  14. ^ "Chivayo Feels Heat Over Zesa Projects". Daily News. Archived from the original on 30 December 2017. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  15. ^ "Chivayo sitting on $680 million ZESA projects claims union boss". New Zimbabwe. Archived from the original on 30 January 2018. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
  16. ^ "Wicknell splashes R20 000 on shoes". Bulawayo News24. Archived from the original on 10 March 2018. Retrieved 9 March 2017.
  17. ^ "Wicknell splashes R20 000 on shoes". Daily News. Archived from the original on 9 March 2018. Retrieved 9 March 2017.
  18. ^ "Wicknell Chivayo: Criminal mastermind". Chronicle. Archived from the original on 23 April 2017. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
  19. ^ "Chivayo's prison stint exposed". The Sunday Mail. Archived from the original on 19 June 2017. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
  20. ^ "Businessman Wicknell Chivayo reportedly arrested by CID Serious Frauds in draw". PaZimbabwe. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  21. ^ "Chamisa Does Not Know What He Is Talking About – Wicknell Chivayo". The Zimbabwe Mail. Archived from the original on 6 March 2018. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  22. ^ "Grace warns Chivayo". Zimbabwe Independent. Archived from the original on 12 January 2018. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  23. ^ "Grace Mugabe, Chivayo Latest". The Zimbabwe Mail. 22 December 2017. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017.
  24. ^ "Wicknell Chivayo grovels to G40". News Day. 16 April 2016. Archived from the original on 12 July 2018.
  25. ^ "Wicknell marries". chronicle. Archived from the original on 17 July 2017. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  26. ^ "Tuku serenades Chivayo's marriage ceremony guests". The Herald. Archived from the original on 18 July 2017. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  27. ^ "Wicknell Chivayo stirs hornet's with patenity test". chronicle. Archived from the original on 3 February 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  28. ^ "Wicknell Chivayo Attacked Over Newly Born Son DNA Test Result". PaZimbabwe. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
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