Wicknell Chivayo gifted Edd Branson’s wife R1million from ‘corrupt’ ZEC tender

HARARE – Wicknell Chivayo’s relationship with Maxine Branson, the wife of Prophet Edd Branson, has come under fresh scrutiny, amid revelations that she was a beneficiary of US$51 000 out of US$40 million the tenderpreneur got through a dodgy Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) contract.

Chivayo’s dealings have once again caught the attention of corruption weary Zimbabweans, with South Africa’s Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) ‘s investigations revealing that Zimbabwe’s finance ministry paid over R1.1 billion to a South African company awarded contracts to supply election materials.

Over R800 million (US$40m) of that money immediately found its way into the bank accounts of companies owned by Chivayo.

Among the beneficiaries appears to be Maxine Branson, wife of prominent prophet Edd Branson, who operates the cosmetic brand Christian by Hadassah, who reportedly received R1million (US$51 000) in amounts transferred between April 2023 and May 2024.

This is not the first time Chivayo and Maxine have been linked.

Last year, leaked direct messages exposed a shocking tale of infidelity and manipulation involving Chivayo and Maxine as well as Anesu Chari, the wife of another preacher Prophet Evidence Chari.

The messages revealed that had Chivayo bought a car for Maxine with her knowledge and then gave it to Edd to give to her as a “surprise”, all while allegedly carrying on an affair with her.

The DMs show Chivayo saying, ‘I love you too much’, to Maxine. She had earlier said ‘I miss you too’ to the flamboyant businessman.

At the time, Maxine came out with a statement denying that she had ever been involved with Chivayo.

“I don’t normally respond to things that people say about me because I honestly don’t see the need to when the people that MATTER know the truth but it is very sad that we live in a world where people would actually be so heartless to the extent of editing normal conversations and directing them to come out as something they are not just to suit a narrative that they want to push hence making the whole story FAKE just to push their agenda whether it is for likes, views or revenge only God knows.

“A lie indeed goes around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes,” she said.