HARARE – Despite reports that he is now under investigation by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), the spending spree by controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo continues unabated, after he splashed on cars for musicians Mathias Mhere, Diana Samkange and Andy Muridzo.
Wicknell announced in a social media post that he was lavishing each of the three artistes with 2015 version of the sleek Mercedes Benz C180.
In his post, Chivayo said he was honouring the trio for their support of the First Lady Auxilia Mnangagwa’s Angel of Hope charity.
“Congratulations to you my sister DIANA SAMKANGE, my brothers MATHIAS MHERE and ANDY MURIDZO… While observing from afar your continued support and entertainment at our very special Mother Zimbabwe’s ANGEL OF HOPE and many other charity events cannot go unnoticed.
“Please go to EXQUISITE CARS DEALERSHIP and see Victor your 3 X Mercedes Benz C CLASS are waiting for you.
“Where I come from we honour ladies first so please allow DIANA to choose first then the two superstars can choose respectively,” Wicknell posted.
Chivayo has come under scrutiny for his spending over the last few weeks, with some questioning the source of his wealth, with journalist Hopewell Chin’ono, claiming that Chivayo had benefited from a shadowy and corrupt contract to supply election materials used in the 2023 harmonised general election.
“Wicknell Chivayo corruptly got the biggest contract to supply election materials last year, millions of dollars were paid to him,” Chin’ono said while accusing the opposition of being too weak.
“He is now using part of that loot to buy luxury cars for the people who helped Zanu-PF during its election campaign, buying cars from a garage owned by sons of a powerful politician in Zimbabwe,” Chin’ono claimed.
In an exclusive interview with Nehanda Radio recently, Chivayo dismissed allegations that he siphoned millions of public funds, which he is now generously gifting back to society.
“You give the impression that public funds are stored in a reservoir where anyone can simply draw from then later choose to return as they please. Those who make such outrageous allegations have the greatest ignorance of how public funds are managed,” Chivayo hit back.
“As far as I know, Zimbabwe has one of the most efficient public finance management systems on the continent if not the world. Public funds can only be paid as consideration for goods delivered or a service rendered after a thorough public procurement or tendering process.
“It is public record that in those instances that my company has received public funds, there was a procurement contract which entitled me to such payment as consideration for goods that I would have delivered or services that would have been rendered.
“There is no element of siphoning, whether actual or assumed. Where I have been pitifully and wrongfully accused by some overzealous yet weak-minded people of defrauding a certain public entity, the highest Court of the land acquitted me of any criminal conduct.
“The feeble narrative that I have siphoned public funds is a subject of bar-talk and pastime without any evidence to it.
“As I mentioned before, my generosity is driven by love for humankind. It’s pathetic and laughable how society has become so polarised and toxic to the extent that they question any good deed and label it as using proceeds of crime,” Chivayo told Nehanda Radio.
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