Wicknell Chivayo was one of Zimbabwe's most influential and controversial figures. The 42-year-old businessman held almost unfettered access to political power across Africa.
He was pictured with African leaders, including President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe and President William Ruto of Kenya. He was also pictured with President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania, President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, and Zambia's late former president Edgar Lungu.
According to TRT Africa, Chivayo lived in an affluent northern neighbourhood of Harare, flew in private jets, and frequently changed luxury vehicles. He regularly gifted expensive cars and houses to individuals.
Chivayo was born in November 1982 in Harare, where he completed his primary and secondary schooling. TRT Africa reports that there is no publicly confirmed record of him pursuing a college education.
He began his career in 1997 working as a wage clerk for a Zimbabwean bus company. He subsequently joined the unregulated foreign exchange business operating in the capital city.
In 2004, authorities convicted Chivayo of deceiving a South African national. The case involved promising to deposit over $100,000 into an account in exchange for $46,000 in South African rand. He served a three-year sentence at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison in Harare.
"Harare magistrate Hosea Mujaya established that Chivayo's company did not fulfill the contractual obligation,” TRT Africa’s Pauline Odhiambo revealed.
In March 2011, state media reported that Chivayo allegedly created fictitious procurement websites that vanished after receiving payments.
In October 2015, the Zimbabwe Power Company awarded Chivayo’s firm, Intratrek Zimbabwe, a $183 million contract. The contract was meant to construct a 100-megawatt solar station in Gwanda, with $1.2 million paid upfront.
A magistrate established that Intratrek failed to fulfil its contractual obligations. In October 2015, Intratrek gave a $10,000 payment to ZPC chairperson Stanley Kazhanje, who was later jailed for three years in 2019.
However, Intratrek later sued ZPC for unlawful termination and was awarded $22 million in damages.
Courts acquitted Chivayo of fraud charges regarding the project in 2024. He was also linked to government tenders concerning elections, security, internet connectivity, and cancer treatment.
Shift in Political Perceptions
Political attitudes towards Chivayo shifted noticeably over time. In March 2018, President Emmerson Mnangagwa vowed to institute his arrest, describing him as a "fly by night briefcase businessman.”
Chivayo stated that being wealthy caused him headaches due to deciding what to drive from his luxury collection.
He rejected all allegations of fraud, claiming he was a legitimate businessman targeted by political opponents.
