BULAWAYO – Controversial tenderpreneur Wicknell Chivayo has pledged a whooping US$1 million in sponsorship to Bulawayo giants, Highlanders, over the course of one year.
In a long Facebook post published on Wednesday morning, Chivayo announced the donation, which he said is aimed at supporting the financially struggling club.
Chivayo said the donation is in honour of the late Vice President John Landa Nkomo, whom he commended for his support of the ruling party, ZANU PF.
“…it is my GREATEST PLEASURE to avail sponsorship worth US$250,000 in cash to Highlanders FC, as my small token to assist the Club in its various administrative requirements,” he wrote.
“This is just but part of a broader sponsorship package of US$1million that will run over the next YEAR to help the club secure new talent and cover player sign-on fees in order to foster a more competitive 2025 Premier Soccer League.”
This comes five months after Chivayo’s intervention, helping Highlanders avoid a potential FIFA transfer ban by settling a US$27,000 debt owed to former coaches Baltemar Brito and Antonio Joao Torres.
The source of Chivayo’s wealth though remains a source of great debate with accusations he is exploiting his proximity to President Emmerson Mnangagwa to loot state run parastatals and commissions.
Chivayo was for example was corruptly awarded a US$40 million tender for the supply of election materials to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).
He was also accused of defrauding the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) of US$5,6 million in the controversial Gwanda Solar Project which has failed to take off.
Although he was later cleared by the courts there is lingering suspicion his closeness to the president played a part.
