Harare – The scandal engulfing flamboyant businessman Wicknell Chivayo has taken a dramatic new turn, with key figures in the saga contradicting the entrepreneur’s claims of a malicious plot to tarnish his reputation.
At the centre of the storm is a series of leaked Instagram chats allegedly involving Chivayo and multiple women, with some of them being married women – including Prophet Edd Branson, which have rocked the rumour-loving teapot nation. While Chivayo has vehemently denied the authenticity of the messages, labelling them “malicious fabrications by sponsored criminals”, his assertions are being challenged from multiple fronts.
One of the women implicated in the leaked chats, the influential socialite Tariro Gezi, has broken her silence, but in the process confirming the authenticity of the messages while emphatically denying any romantic involvement with Chivayo.
In an interview, Gezi painted a picture of a casual acquaintance, insisting that their interactions were limited to a single exchange on Instagram. “Wicknell is a public figure that I admire, but I’m not one for scandals,” she declared. “The only time I spoke to him was when I was trying to assist musician Greatman in getting an electric wheelchair after Greatman posted his plea to Chivayo on Facebook.”
Gezi’s revelation is a significant blow to Chivayo’s claims of a fabricated smear campaign. Her decision to publicly address the matter, coupled with her detailed account of the circumstances surrounding the conversation, lends credibility to the authenticity of the leaked chats.
Furthermore, Chivayo’s own family has added fuel to the fire. His ex-wife, Sonja Madzikanda, has publicly questioned the motives of his sister, Moreblessing Chivayo, for commenting on the scandal. In a scathing video message, Madzikanda hinted at a strained relationship between the siblings, suggesting that Moreblessing’s support for her brother might be disingenuous.
“Your brother is working so hard to tell people that what happened these past few days was Artificial Intelligence (AI) but you come on here and talk about it, I don’t know whether you are trying to help or you are actually fighting him,” Sonja asserted.
The public spat between Chivayo’s ex-wife and sister has laid bare the deep-seated tensions within the family, raising questions about the businessman’s character and the support network he enjoys.
As the scandal deepens, public opinion is shifting against Chivayo. The once-celebrated entrepreneur who was boot-licked by the who’s-who of the entertainment industry while dishing out brand new cars to musicians and artists early this year, is now facing intense scrutiny, with many questioning the veracity of his claims. The leaked chats, coupled with the public fallout within his family, have painted a picture of a man desperate to salvage his reputation at any cost.
The leaked screenshots show intimate and flirtatious exchanges between Chivayo and Maxine Adam, wife of Prophet Edd Branson. In one of the messages, Chivayo declares his love for Maxine, saying, “I love you too much.” The screenshots also reveal that Maxine instructed Chivayo to present a car as a gift intended for “Mai Pastor” and to convince Prophet Branson to hand over the present to her, creating the illusion of a surprise.
In response to the allegations, Chivayo took to his Instagram account to deny the authenticity of the leaked chats, claiming that they are fake and part of an extortion attempt. He also expressed his shock and dismay at the recent flood of screenshots circulating on social media, which he claims are falsely attributed to his Instagram account.
“I have been appalled that over the last few days, almost every social media platform has been awash with screenshots purportedly taken from my Instagram account. I disassociate myself from these fake screenshots and dismiss them in their entirety as nothing more than malicious fabrications being sponsored by criminals who realized that their attempt to extort me was dismally unsuccessful,” Chivayo said in a statement.
He went on to claim that the screenshots were generated by fake social media accounts impersonating him and that he would take legal action against those responsible for the leaks.
Gezi, meanwhile, has emerged as a figure of sympathy. Her decision to speak out has earned her admiration from many, who see her as a victim of a calculated smear campaign. The socialite, who has built a successful career as a life coach, radio personality, and philanthropist, has shown resilience in the face of adversity.
“It’s sad that the internet is now used as a tool to destroy careers,” she lamented. “I’ve never called or met Chivayo in person. It was just that innocent Instagram chat, and I think the leaked chats are a way of trying to discredit what I’ve built over the years. I didn’t flirt with Chivayo,” she added.
Gezi’s journey to success is a testament to her determination and perseverance. Raised by her grandmother in Queenspark East, Bulawayo, she overcame numerous challenges to build a thriving career. Her work as a life coach and leader of a single mothers’ group, “My Sister’s Keeper”, has earned her the respect of many.
The scandal surrounding Chivayo has undoubtedly overshadowed Gezi’s achievements. However, her courage in speaking out has elevated her status as a role model for many women. She has shown that it is possible to overcome adversity and emerge stronger.
