VICE-PRESIDENT Constantino Chiwenga reportedly stopped controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo from donating towards the hosting of the just-ended Miss World Zimbabwe pageant, NewsDay Weekender has learnt.

Chiwenga’s wife, Marry, is the licence holder of the pageant, which is run by the Miss Zimbabwe Trust.

Highly-placed sources who attended the event in Domboshava last week said Chivayo wanted to attend the event and allegedly “steal” the show with his usual antics of throwing around money, but found Chiwenga in a no-nonsense mood.

“He indicated he wanted to donate towards the pageant. The Vice-President (Chiwenga) and his wife (Marry) were already there. Vice-President Chiwenga did not mince his words, telling Chivayo he did not want to see his donation,” NewsDay Weekender heard.

After the snub, Chivayo decided against attending the event.

Contacted for comment, Chivayo referred questions to the Miss Zimbabwe Trust.

“Talk to them, they will tell you what happened,” he said, before dropping the call.

Miss Zimbabwe Trust spokesperson Tendai Chirau promised to consult on the issue. “Let me consult because I don’t know about this,” he said.

Efforts to contact Chirau later drew blanks.

Chivayo is known for doling out money when he can, including at some point bankrolling the country’s national football team and guaranteeing then coach Kalisto Pasuwa’s salary as the soccer governing body, the Zimbabwe Football Association, struggled to honour its obligations.