By Business Reporter- Controversial businessman and convicted fraudster Wicknell Chivayo was spotted on Friday in President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s official motorcade at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) grounds in Bulawayo, raising fresh questions about his ties to the highest office in the land.
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Mnangagwa arrived at the ZITF alongside Mozambican President Daniel Chapo, who is this year’s guest of honour and is expected to officially open the 65th edition of the country’s premier trade showcase.
Mnangagwa arrived at the ZITF alongside Mozambican President Daniel Chapo, who is this year’s guest of honour and is expected to officially open the 65th edition of the country’s premier trade showcase.
But it was the presence of Chivayo—riding in the presidential convoy—that turned heads and ignited renewed public debate over state capture and the unchecked influence of politically connected elites in Zimbabwe’s crumbling economy.
Chivayo, often referred to as “Sir Wicknell” on social media, is widely believed to be a close associate and business frontman of Mnangagwa.
He has controversially secured multi-billion-dollar government tenders despite lacking the technical capacity or track record to deliver on them.
His conspicuous wealth and social media flamboyance have made him a lightning rod for public anger in a country battered by corruption and poverty.
Chivayo’s most infamous deal remains the $173 million Gwanda solar project, awarded in 2015 to his company Intratrek Zimbabwe.
The project was meant to help address Zimbabwe’s chronic energy shortages, yet almost a decade later, not a single megawatt has been added to the national grid.
Despite the complete failure to deliver, Chivayo still received substantial advance payments from the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), sparking outrage from the Auditor-General and parliamentarians.
Investigations into the project revealed glaring irregularities, including the absence of a bank guarantee and the release of funds before any work was done.
Although the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) initially launched a probe, the case has since gone quiet—fuelling speculation that Chivayo enjoys political protection at the highest levels.
Chivayo’s ties to Mnangagwa have become increasingly apparent in recent years.
He has appeared at state functions, posed for photos at State House, and regularly praises the president on social media, branding him the “father of the nation.”
Chivayo has also been a vocal supporter of Mnangagwa’s controversial #Vision2030 agenda, which critics argue is more propaganda than policy.
Despite the public nature of their interactions, Mnangagwa has repeatedly denied any formal connection to Chivayo.
However, his continued presence in official spaces—such as riding in a state motorcade—has undermined these denials and deepened suspicions of collusion.
The inclusion of a known fraudster in the president’s entourage at a high-profile international trade event has drawn fierce criticism from opposition figures and civil society watchdogs.
Many argue it signals the extent to which corruption has been normalised under Mnangagwa’s leadership.
“Chivayo’s presence in the motorcade is not just symbolic—it shows how deeply entrenched corruption has become. He is not just a businessman; he is the face of elite looting and state capture,” said one political analyst.
Chivayo was previously convicted of fraud and has faced multiple charges over the years, including money laundering and abuse of office.
Yet he has continued to rise, flaunting luxury vehicles, designer clothes, and cash giveaways on social media—all while ordinary citizens face rising inflation, poor public services, and high unemployment.
His latest appearance at the ZITF, in the company of foreign dignitaries and business leaders, sends a troubling message about the kind of business environment Zimbabwe is promoting.
For many Zimbabweans, it reinforces the belief that political loyalty, not competence or integrity, is the ticket to success.
Chivayo’s unchecked rise under Mnangagwa has become emblematic of a broader culture of impunity.
While the government pays lip service to fighting corruption, insiders like Chivayo continue to profit from opaque deals and unaccountable spending—fuelled by taxpayer money and shielded by political connections.