Tinotenda Hove- Controversial businessman and Emmerson Mnangagwa associate Wicknell Chivayo has made headlines again after purchasing 11 brand-new vehicles worth US$500,000 for church leaders and a ZANU PF media operative — at a time when Zimbabwe’s public sector is battling economic collapse.

In a lengthy statement posted on social media Tuesday, Chivayo — who has been linked to controversial state tenders — said he was honouring leaders of the Johanne Masowe Chishanu apostolic sect for their “spiritual depth” and “humble service.”

“Having woken up in a good mood yesterday, I decided to spend US$500,000 on cars for my fellow church members,” Chivayo wrote.

He said two of the top five leaders of the church, Madzibaba Gibson Nyanhi from Chiweshe and the late Madzibaba Mathias Mandaza from Domboshava, were each being gifted a brand-new 2025 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 GD6 SUV. The vehicle meant for Mandaza will now go to his son, Madzibaba Gibos Mandaza. Another Fortuner was awarded to Madzibaba Boniface Muteze of Domboshava.

The beneficiaries were instructed to collect their fully paid white SUVs from Exquisite Car Dealership.

In addition to the Fortuners, Chivayo revealed that seven Toyota Hilux single cab trucks were also purchased and are available for collection at Faramatsi Motors. Those receiving the Hiluxes include:

• Madzibaba Jefreyson Shonhayi (Marondera)
• Madzibaba Kennedy Chitekuteku (Marondera)
• Madzibaba Tungamirai Musemwa (Coca-Cola)
• Madzibaba Shepherd Nyakudya (Domboshava)
• Madzibaba Anesu Chizarura (Domboshava)
• Madzibaba Caleb Nyakudya (Domboshava)
• Madzibaba Ezibon Mandaza (Domboshava)

The eleventh vehicle was gifted to Moore Samson Muzira of the ZANU PF Midlands News Desk.

“Enjoy your new cars, Madzibaba, and may your footsteps continue to be inspired, anointed and led by the Spirit,” Chivayo said.

However, the donations have sparked fierce backlash from critics who say the showy display of wealth comes at a time when public hospitals lack basic medicines, civil servants are underpaid, and infrastructure is decaying.

“How can a single individual connected to power afford to casually spend half a million dollars on cars, while the nation is starving and clinics have no paracetamol?” asked one Harare-based political commentator.

Chivayo, long associated with lucrative but controversial government contracts — including a stalled multi-million-dollar energy deal — has never been prosecuted despite repeated calls for accountability. His latest spree reinforces perceptions of impunity among politically connected elites in Zimbabwe.