HARARE – The Zanu PF Youth League has issued a scathing statement condemning businessman and ex-convict Wicknell Chivayo for allegedly using President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s name to further his own interests.
The audioS which circulated on social media since last week expose Chivayo as claiming that he has captured the President, hence he gets lucrative government contracts, which made him ten times richer since election time.
The league’s secretary for information and publicity, Phillipa Mukoko, said Chivayo’s claims of being close to the President were “unfortunate and regrettable”.
“The Youth League appreciates donations that Mr Chivayo has been giving to the members of our society, but we will not sit and watch the name of our most revered leader being tarnished by such malcontents for their own self-aggrandizement,” Mukoko said.
“Our President has an open-door policy which must never be abused. We have realised that Mr Wicknell Chivayo has abused his access to the leadership.”
Chivayo, however, released a statement during the day, denying any wrongdoing and dismissing the allegations as “false and deliberately fabricated”.
In a statement, Chivayo said he was a “law-abiding citizen and businessman of international repute who upholds the highest level of integrity in all my business transactions”.
“I categorically deny having any business relationship with Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu or concluding any dealings with them,” Chivayo said.
“I further place on record that I have not, whether personally or through any of my companies, been a party to a contract with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, Department of Immigration or the Zimbabwe Republic Police as insinuated in the manufactured voice messages.”
Chivayo also apologised to President Mnangagwa, the First Lady, and any other government officials who may have been affected by the allegations.
“I hereby express my deep regret and profound apology to the esteemed office of H.E. President E.D. Mnangagwa, the First Lady, the First Family, and any office or public official that these fake voice messages may have adversely affected or drawn into disrepute,” he said.
“I have never, at any material time, recorded the alleged voice messages, neither have I transmitted such to anyone.”
The Zanu PF Youth League meanwhile has called on Chivayo to desist from using the President’s name and has urged the relevant authorities to investigate the matter.
“We sternly warn him to abstain from abusing Party and Government structures for his brute personal agenda,” Mukoko said.
“The League wishes to put it on record that Mr Chivayo does not hold any influential position in the Party that warrants him to have a delegation receiving him at the airport. Such an arrangement is a preserve for the President and Head of State only.”
Chivayo has also threatened to take legal action against Chimombe and Mpofu, who he accuses of extortion and fraud.
“I am fully prepared for any litigation or other consequence arising from demands by these two which are entirely premised on non-existent, fallacious, unlawful, and extortionate grounds,” he said.
“I fully reserve my rights to take stern legal action against these two for conduct that is grossly defamatory and that is well calculated to put my name and business interests into disrepute.”
The Youth League has expressed concern over the alleged abuse of the President’s name and has called on Chivayo to respect the office of the President.
“Let it be known by whoever is concerned that our tried and tested leader is a statesman of the highest caliber, integrity standing, and repute,” Mukoko said. “We will not allow anyone to tarnish the good name of our President and our Party.”
Chivayo has maintained his innocence and has called on the authorities to investigate the matter.
“I undertake to fully assist to the greatest possible extent in demonstrating how the fake voice messages are devoid of any truth,” he said.
“I repeat that at no given time did I ever pay the Director General CIO Isaac Moyo or the Chief Secretary in the President and Cabinet Martin Rushwaya any money whatsoever for any service.”
