You are a FAILED POLITICIAN, I’m not afraid of you, I support ED only: Daring mbinga Wicknell Chivayo tells General Chiwenga

Tensions within Zimbabwe’s ruling Zanu-PF party have reached a boiling point, erupting into a very public war of words between controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo and Acting President Constantino Chiwenga. The conflict, playing out on social media and at the highest levels of government, highlights the deep-seated factionalism currently fracturing the party.

The latest salvo came from Chivayo himself, who took to X (formerly Twitter) to label Chiwenga a “failed politician.” In a strongly worded statement, Chivayo declared: “I will always support President E.D. Mnangagwa and ZANU PF’s vision, and NO INDIVIDUAL from any planet, no matter how BIG or SMALL, can instill any fear in me to decide otherwise. I will neither be MOVED by nor SHAKEN by any veiled threats from FAILED opposition POLITICIANS.” This statement, critics suggest, is a direct response to Chiwenga’s recent pronouncements against corruption within Zanu-PF.

This public spat follows a highly charged atmosphere at the burial of former Deputy Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Justin Mupamhanga, at the National Heroes Acre on Monday. The event, intended as a solemn occasion, instead became a stage for a dramatic display of factional rivalry. Supporters of Acting President Chiwenga openly sang his praises, a clear demonstration of the deep divisions within the party. Conversely, ICT Minister Tatenda Mavetera led a chorus of songs perceived as being anti-Chiwenga, further escalating the tensions.

Chiwenga, speaking at the burial, launched a scathing attack on corruption within Zanu-PF, directly targeting those he referred to as “mbingas” – a Shona term referring to filthy rich entrepreneurs. He accused these individuals of enriching themselves through ill-gotten wealth, stating: “We all swore to a shared future in which everyone had a place on the table, a place in the sun for a culture of equal opportunity where every Zimbabwean served in equal measure. Zvehubvanzu bvanzu kudya kwe mhumhi takazviramba. Our vision 2030 is for all of us kwete dzamunoti mbinga kuhondo taidziti zvigananda, those who grow big tummies through ill-gotten wealth and questionable morals…”

His supporters chanted “Chivayo, Chivayo,” openly linking the businessman to the accusations of corruption.

These chants directly reference Chivayo’s recent lavish spending, meticulously detailed by The Standard’s investigative journalism unit, Truth Diggers. Their investigation revealed Chivayo’s expenditure of over US$9.3 million since January 2024 on luxury vehicles and gifts for a wide array of individuals and organisations.

Beneficiaries included musicians, comedians, footballers, Zanu-PF activists, and leaders of the Johanne Masowe eChishanu church. The gifts ranged from numerous Toyota Aquas, which became a social media sensation due to their sheer number, to high-end Mercedes Benzes and Range Rovers, costing between US$28,000 and US$180,000. The Johanne Masowe eChishanu church received nearly US$3 million, while musicians received approximately US$1.9 million.

Jah Prayzah (Mukudzeyi Mukombe) received the largest single gift – a US$180,000 Mercedes Benz S500 in January 2024, in addition to earlier gifts of Toyota Aquas for his dancers and son, and US$20,000 in cash. His public praise for Chivayo sparked considerable online debate, with some labelling it “bootlicking.” This criticism prompted Chivayo’s unusual “apology” – a pledge to give Jah Prayzah an additional US$150,000 and a new Range Rover Sport, claiming it was calculated at US$10 per critical comment on social media. “Hanzi 15,000 comments muchitukwa mwana wevanhu kuti why waremekedza SIR…AAAAA muneshuwa???,” Chivayo wrote on Facebook. “Ndiri CHIRANGA MAPENZI, so I’ll do the Maths: 15,000 comments X 10 US dollars… Saka zvareva kuti 150 thousand USD in hard cash musi wanotora mota yake kwaVictor.”

Other recipients, including gospel musicians Olivia and Charles Charamba, Leonard Zhakata, and Peter Ndlovu, also faced public criticism for accepting the gifts.

Adding fuel to the fire, social media is currently flooded with letters purportedly written by Chivayo requesting local banks to allow him to withdraw up to US$20 million per month for various transactions. Chivayo has vehemently denied authorship of these letters. He has frequently been photographed alongside President Emmerson Mnangagwa and other regional leaders, a fact he uses to bolster his claims of unwavering support for the President.

The timing of this escalating conflict is particularly significant. It comes amidst growing concerns about President Mnangagwa’s third-term bid, with war veterans expressing their discontent over corruption, nepotism, and incompetence within the administration. They have openly criticised Mnangagwa, adding another layer of complexity to the already volatile political landscape.

Chivayo, known for his close ties to Mnangagwa and his lucrative state tenders, appears to be using his influence and wealth to further consolidate his position within the party, regardless of the consequences.