By Munacho Gwamanda-Uebert Angel, Wicknell Chivayo, and Shepherd Bushiri have mastered the art of deception—exploiting faith and political patronage to amass vast fortunes while ordinary Zimbabweans suffer.
Under President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s kleptocratic rule, these three figures have built empires of corruption, using religious institutions as cover for financial crimes, fraud, and illicit dealings.
Appointed by Mnangagwa as Zimbabwe’s Ambassador-at-Large, Uebert Angel has been instrumental in the looting of gold, particularly smuggling it to Dubai and other corrupt Middle Eastern networks.
Al Jazeera’s Gold Mafia documentary exposed him on tape, facilitating money laundering for international criminals under the guise of diplomatic immunity.
Rather than using his position to serve Zimbabweans, Angel manipulates faith to fund his opulent lifestyle, shielding himself behind religion while securing protection from prosecution.
Chivayo epitomizes state capture under Mnangagwa’s regime.
Awarded multimillion-dollar government contracts without proper tendering, he infamously pocketed US$200 million from the Gwanda solar project without delivering anything.
Instead of facing prosecution, Chivayo flaunts his wealth, lavishing gifts on ZANU PF elites and bribing his way into political circles.
His rise is not from business acumen but from political , making him immune to legal scfavouritismrutiny.
Malawian preacher Shepherd Bushiri, a close ally of Angel and Chivayo, is a fugitive from South Africa, wanted for fraud and money laundering exceeding R100 million.
He prophesied Kembo Mohadi’s rise to Zimbabwe’s vice presidency and maintained close ties with Mnangagwa’s inner circle.
Using religion as a shield, Bushiri continues to exploit followers while laundering money through Zimbabwe’s corrupt networks.
Angel, Chivayo, and Bushiri represent the unholy trinity of corruption, using religion to deceive the masses while enriching themselves through Mnangagwa’s patronage.
Their unchecked looting stands as a brutal reminder that in Zimbabwe, crime pays—so long as you have the right political connections.