HARARE – Maxwell Chikumbutso, a Zimbabwean inventor, has been accused of deceiving President Emmerson Mnangagwa by showcasing fake inventions, including a self-powering electric vehicle and a hypersonic energy device.
Chikumbutso claimed that the Saith FEV, an electric vehicle, is powered by radio waves and requires no fuel, recharging, or external input.
Observers have, however, raised skepticism about Chikumbutso’s claims, conducting a reverse image search that revealed the vehicle to be a Kaiyi model manufactured in Japan.
It is further alleged that Chikumbutso purchased a Browey portable power station and presented it to Mnangagwa as his own invention, falsely claiming it to be a “hypersonic energy device” that harnesses radio frequencies and converts them into electricity.
Hopewell Chin’ono, a prominent investigative journalist, stated that the Browey device, available for purchase on Amazon for US$109, is actually a portable power station with a built-in solar panel for efficient energy conversion.
“On the left is the bogus inventor lying to Mnangagwa, claiming that he invented this device in 2009 and calling it a “hypersonic energy device that harnesses radio frequencies and converts them into electricity.”
“I just did a reverse image search of the device—it is the same one being sold for US$109 on Amazon!
“It was actually invented by a company called Browey, which unveiled it on August 9, 2023. It is just a portable power station with a built-in solar panel for efficient energy conversion, making it suitable for outdoor activities and emergency preparedness.
“What shocks me is that Zimbabwe has a state security service that should be preventing the president from being exposed to such embarrassing moments. The world is not just laughing at Mnangagwa, it is laughing at our country.
“A whole state media empire reported on this, even lying to viewers that it meant the end of fuel problems.
“This is what happens when a president hires his unqualified relatives and friends. Mnangagwa has now surpassed Mobutu in kleptocracy!”
Meanwhile the X accounts belonging to Nick Mangwana, President Mnangagwa, and the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting have now all deleted posts about Chikumbutso’s alleged groundbreaking technology.
Chikumbutso is not new to controversy. He was arrested in 2018 on six counts of armed robbery alongside five accomplices.
During his bail hearing following his arrest, he vehemently denied the charges, arguing that he was a successful entrepreneur pioneering cutting-edge technology.
On that occasion, the state opposed bail saying among the firearms that were recovered by the police following a robbery at a service station in Waterfalls, one belonged to Chikumbutso.
“He further argued that he is operating a successful company pioneering new technology and inventions and is famous for the good work he is involved in and that he has substantial assets in Zimbabwe, including immovable properties, yet not a single deed of transfer was produced or referred to as proof,” Justice Roger Manyangadze Foroma said in his ruling at the time.
The controversial inventor’s alleged accomplices at the time of the alleged crime were Harmony Nyati, Polite Madamombe (both deceased), Austin Ncube, Wisdom Tariro and Godfrey Josi.
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