The US$300k lobola that never was… Wicknell denies paying hefty bride price

HARARE – Controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo had denied paying US$300 000 in lobola, revealing that the final amount offered to his in-laws was only a fraction of that figure.

Chivayo and his new wife, Lucy Muteke, were the talk of the country over the past weekend, amid rumours that the businessman had paid a hefty bride price, which included a lorry load of groceries demanded by his in laws.

In an interview with H-Metro following the ceremony in Marondera, Wicknell dismissed reports that he had shelled out over US$300 000 for the lobola ceremony.

Instead he said the figure he paid to his “humble and understanding” in laws did not amount to more than $20 000. He also claimed that a messenger he had sent with $50 000 to the Muteki family prior to the ceremony had returned with plenty of change.

In now familiar Chivayo fashion, the tenderpreneur also revealed that he had carried US$70 000 in his car for any shortfalls that might occur during the ceremony.

The lobola itself was a high-powered affair, with festivities directed by popular MC Maimba Mapuranga and featuring performances from top artists Jah Prayzah, Killer T, Enzo Ishall and the Travellerz Band.

Before the ceremony, Chivayo took to social media to update his fans on his offerings.

“Saka ndafonera munyai. Vasvika ka vanhu vaye. Saka vangotakura ka 50 thousand ndine imwe 75 mumota.

“Saka ndati kune munyai, unongosvika woti, ‘mukuru havasi kuda zvekuzomiswa kana auya. Hanti mwana wenyu ndirikumuda? Ndokumbirawo musanditambisirewo time.

“Itai maths dzenyu mungotipawo total kuti murikuda mari. Zvekuda kumbonzi 5 hundred vhuramuromo, 5 thousand matekenya ndebvu. argh argh. Maweka here?

“Chingotipai total mari iri mumota ingoverengwa,” Chivayo said.