Heavily publicised Wicknell Chivayo’s lobola ceremony ends in tears: Lulu Muteke’s parents raided by 19 armed robbers, lose US$75,000 cash

Marondera – Just days after businessman Wicknell Chivayo’s lavish lobola ceremony for his wife, Lulu Muteke, a shocking armed robbery at Alpha Omega Farm in Marondera has cast a dark shadow over the celebrations. Police have launched an investigation into the incident, where US$75,000 in cash was stolen.

The robbery, which occurred in the early hours of the morning, involved a gang of up to 19 armed robbers who stormed the farm and made off with the substantial sum. The incident raises serious questions about the potential link between the high-profile nature of the lobola ceremony and the brazen attack.

The event, held in Marondera, was nothing short of spectacular, rivalling even the most extravagant celebrations seen globally. The Marondera venue was transformed into a spectacular setting, featuring a porch reminiscent of a lavish Italian villa. Renowned wedding planner Kevin Zhou decorated the space in striking burnt orange and blue hues, creating an atmosphere fit for royalty. The event was directed by popular MC Maimba Mapuranga and included performances from some of Zimbabwe’s top artists, including Jah Prayzah, Killer T, Enzo Ishall, and the Travellerz Band.

The event’s extensive publicity, fuelled by Chivayo’s own social media activity and the decision by the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) to air the private ceremony on national television, may have inadvertently drawn unwanted attention.

Prior to the ceremony, Chivayo took to social media to update his followers on the preparations.

In the morning, hours before travelling to Marondera for the lobola ceremony, Chivayo recounted sending a messenger with US$50,000 to handle the lobola negotiations, with instructions to fulfil all requirements. He received a call back from the messenger confirming that the US$50,000 had more than covered all demands, and that there was a “lot of change” remaining.

The businessman further revealed that he had carried an additional US$75,000 in his car as a precaution, ensuring that there would be no financial shortfalls during the ceremony. However, this supplementary cash ultimately proved unnecessary.

In a series of posts, he detailed his instructions to his messenger, saying:

‘Saka ndafonera munyai. Vasvika ka vanhu vaye. Saka vangotakura ka 50 thousand ndine imwe 75 mumota. Saka ndati kune munyai, unongosvika woti, ‘”mukuru havasi kuda zvekuzomiswa kana auya. Hanti mwana wenyu ndirikumuda? Ndokumbirawo musanditambisirewo time. Itai maths dzenyu mungotipawo total kuti murikuda mari. Zvekuda kumbonzi 5 hundred vhuramuromo, 5 thousand matekenyandebvu. argh argh. Maweka here? Chingotipai total mari iri mumota ingoverengwa,” Chivayo said.

He added: “Ndozvataura mukuwasha ati hanzi hatisikuda kuti tite setirikunetsana, isu tirikuda mwana wenyu. Mwana wenyu ndinomuda saka ndokumbirawo murudo waMwari musandinetse panhau dzemari. I have.other problems, not money. Saka, I think in thirty minutes zvinenge zvatopera,” Chivayo said.

Wicknell Chivayo’s lavish lobola payment sparks debate pic.twitter.com/MnXnKqy1oZ

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Chivayo’s viral videos, where he openly discussed carrying large sums of cash, combined with ZBC’s decision to broadcast the private lobola ceremony, may have created an environment ripe for exploitation by criminals. The extensive coverage provided a detailed account of the event, potentially signaling the presence of significant wealth at the location.

The decision by The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) to air Wicknell Chivayo and Lulu Muteke’s lobola ceremony also drew widespread condemnation. Zimbabweans slammed the national broadcaster for covering the event instead of focusing on issues of national importance and public interest. The national broadcaster provided live updates throughout the event, capturing every moment of the high-profile occasion. Critics questioned the relevance of broadcasting a private ceremony, arguing that it does not serve the public interest. Some speculated that Chivayo may have paid ZBC to cover the event, though this remains unconfirmed.

Just after the lobola ceremony, Zimbabwe’s biggest tabloid, H-Metro published a news article alleging that Chivayo paid a staggering US$300,000 in lobola, a figure the newspaper believed to be the highest ever paid in Zimbabwe’s history. However, Chivayo quickly clarified that the widely reported US$300,000 figure associated with his recent lobola ceremony in Marondera was misleading.

Speaking to H-Metro, Chivayo stated that while he spent a significant sum on the event, the actual lobola payment to his in-laws for his lover, Lucy Muteke, was far less than the quoted amount. Chivayo explained that the figures circulating in the media represented the total cost of the lavish ceremony, encompassing expenses such as entertainment, decor, drinks, and other related costs, rather than the specific amount paid as lobola. He emphasised that his in-laws did not request or receive anything close to US$300,000. In fact, he stated that the actual lobola demanded was “not more than US$20,000.”

According to Chivayo, the lobola itself constituted only a small portion of the overall expenditure, with the majority of the funds allocated to ensuring a memorable and celebratory event. He praised his in-laws for their “humble and understanding” nature, noting that they kept the traditional ceremony within the normal financial boundaries expected on such occasions.

Adding another layer of intrigue, Chivayo introduced Lucy Muteke to President Emmerson Mnangagwa at State House days before the lobola event, a highly unusual move that has sparked curiosity and speculation about the nature of their relationship.

While investigations are still underway, the timing of the robbery, coupled with the extensive publicity surrounding the lobola ceremony, raises serious concerns about the potential connection between the two events.