By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has effectively outsourced the repatriation of Zimbabweans stranded in South Africa to businessman Wicknell Chivayo, in a move critics say exposes the total collapse of government services.

Following what he described as “week-long business engagements in DUBAI,” Chivayo announced on Sunday morning that he had paid a “COURTESY VISIT” to Mnangagwa and was given direct instructions to fund the rescue effort.

“During our brief discussions, His Excellency expressed his DEEPEST CONCERN over the plight of Zimbabwean citizens who remain STRANDED in the Republic of South Africa, particularly the MULTITUDES camped at the Zimbabwean Embassy,” Chivayo wrote.

“Being the FATHER to ALL Zimbabweans that he is… President Mnangagwa spoke with DEEP EMPATHY and genuine compassion about the pain and HARDSHIP many of our fellow citizens are presently enduring.”

According to Chivayo, Mnangagwa then “ORDERED me to immediately donate US$1 MILLION towards facilitating the urgent repatriation of those Zimbabweans who are still unable to return home.”

“Panotaura MAMBO 🦁🦁 you don’t question…you ACT ACCORDINGLY !!!” Chivayo posted.

The admission that a private businessman is now responsible for a core state function has drawn fierce criticism.

“This is not leadership, this is surrender,” said a political analyst. “When the President orders a businessman to borrow money to repatriate citizens, he is admitting the State has failed.”

Chivayo himself conceded he does not have the funds readily available.
“Given the HUGE amount required, I had to HUMBLY PLEAD with His Excellency to afford me at least 24 HOURS to try my best to mobilise the funds through every lawful means available to me, including engaging friends, BUSINESS ASSOCIATES, relatives and even BORROWING FROM commercial BANKS,” he wrote.

“Ndiri kunamata 🙏 ne kuisa MUTEURO kuti mari iyi ikwane by tomorrow morning 🤣🤣.”

Families with relatives stranded in Pretoria reacted with anger to the casual tone.
“Our people are sleeping on the ground and he is laughing with emojis while praying money will come,” said one Harare resident. “This is disgraceful.”

Chivayo undertook to deliver the money to the MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE by 8:00 a.m. the next day, adding: “kana mari ikasakwana NDICHA TSVAGA IMWE KUNE VAMWE , until every Zimbabwean affected comes back home.”

He used the post to praise the administration, saying:
“The SECOND REPUBLIC as led by President Mnangagwa has indeed walked the talk in LEAVING NO ONE and NO PLACE BEHIND… As patriotic citizens and members of the BUSINESS COMMUNITY, we have a NATIONAL DUTY and corporate responsibility to complement Government’s efforts whenever our country faces such emergencies, considering Treasury and fiscal constraints.”

Opposition and civic leaders dismissed it as political theater.
“When ‘Leaving No One Behind’ means waiting for Chivayo to get a bank loan, you have no government,” said an activist. “This is patronage, not policy.”

Chivayo ended with ZANU PF slogans: #Vision_2030 #ED_Huchi #ZANU_PF #BABA_WE_MARUDZI #Nyika_Inovakwa_Nevene_Vayo.

For hundreds of Zimbabweans camped at the embassy in Pretoria, there was no timeline, no logistics, and no state plan — only a promise that Mnangagwa had given the job to Chivayo.