Wicknell Munodaani Chivayo (22 November 1980 – 30 September 2026), popularly known as Sir Wicknell, was a Zimbabwean businessman and the founder and managing director of Intratrek Zimbabwe (Private) Limited. He was known for his involvement in government tenders, his close public association with ZANU-PF, and his associations with Presidents of Zimbabwe, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Swaziland, among others.
Chivayo was reported to have been awarded state contracts in Zimbabwe through companies associated with him, with the combined value of contracts reportedly estimated at approximately US$1 billion over the course of his business career. The reported figure refers to the stated value of contracts awarded to his companies.
He was also associated with a series of legal proceedings relating to fraud and money laundering allegations, although some of the fraud proceedings resulted in his acquittal or the dismissal of charges. He was also known for public gifts to celebrities, churches, and footballers, including cash, vehicles and other items.
Chivayo sometimes attracted controversy by being referred to as Mukuru Wemazuva, meaning ancient of days in the Shona language, a moniker he acquired due to public gifts to congregants of various churches within Zimbabwe. His public gifting included donations and vehicles given to religious leaders and church communities, including substantial donations to churches and their congregants.
Early life and education Chivayo was born on 22 November 1980 and grew up in the Gandami area of Chivhu, Mashonaland East. His father, Isaac Mathias Chivayo, died in a car accident when Chivayo was approximately ten years old, after which he was raised by his mother.
He attended Dudley Hall Primary School and subsequently Churchill Boys High School for his secondary education. He left school in 1996 and worked as a wages clerk at a local bus company before becoming involved in illegal foreign currency exchange at the Union Avenue Flea Market (now Kwame Nkrumah Avenue) in Harare.
Career Intratrek Zimbabwe Chivayo was the founder and managing director of Intratrek Zimbabwe (Private) Limited, a company that has secured government contracts in the energy and infrastructure sectors. He has also been associated with IMC Communications, a telecommunications company.
Gwanda Solar Project In 2015, Intratrek Zimbabwe was awarded a contract — valued at approximately US$172 million — to construct a 100-megawatt solar power plant in Gwanda, Matabeleland South, under a contract with the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) and the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC). Intratrek received an advance payment of US$5 million from ZPC, but did not carry out substantive construction work on the project.
Parliamentary committee reviews found that advance payment certificates had been issued without corresponding progress, and that the advance had been paid without a required Advance Payment Guarantee.Chivayo faced multiple rounds of criminal prosecution over the advance payment, and was ultimately acquitted in 2024.
ZEC election materials contract In 2024, leaked audio recordings linked Chivayo, along with associates Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu, to a US$100 million contract awarded to supply election materials to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) ahead of the 2023 Zimbabwean general election. The ZACC investigated and announced in December 2025 that no evidence had been found directly implicating Chivayo in the transaction.
Legal issues 2004 criminal conviction In 2004, Chivayo was convicted of theft by false pretences involving approximately R837,000, arising from a foreign currency transaction in which he received money but did not complete his side of the exchange. He was sentenced to three years' imprisonment at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison.
2011 money laundering proceedings In 2011, Chivayo was arrested on eight counts of fraud and money laundering, and five of his vehicles were confiscated by the state. He was acquitted of all eight counts following trial.
2018 Gwanda Solar Project fraud proceedings In August 2018, Chivayo was arrested and charged with fraud, money laundering, and contravening the Exchange Control Act in connection with the advance payment regarding the Gwanda Solar Project. In March 2019, High Court judge Justice Ephraim Tagu upheld Chivayo's application for exception, ruling that the facts as stated did not disclose an offence, and the acquittal was subsequently formalised at the magistrate court level.
The Prosecutor General appealed the acquittal. In June 2020, the Supreme Court of Zimbabwe reversed the High Court ruling and ordered that Chivayo stand trial. Following subsequent proceedings at the magistrate court, Chivayo was again acquitted in 2024, with the court ruling that the state had failed to establish a prima facie case. A separate charge of bribing former ZPC board chairman Stanley Kazhanje with US$10,000 to influence the tender award was also dismissed. In March 2025, Energy Minister July Moyo announced that the government was reviewing the Gwanda contract with Intratrek with a view to reviving the project under revised terms and updated technical specifications.
2018 triangle scam proceedings In the month of August in the year 2018, Chivayo was arrested for allegations of R1.58 million mining-equipment fraud involving Genius Kadungure that involved the supply, sourcing and delivery of mining equipment across entities between Zimbabwe and South Africa, with some of the entities noted to be non-existent and only existing for the execution of the triangle-like scam. Chivayo was separately acquitted of fraud charges he faced jointly with socialite Genius Kadungure, relating to approximately R1.5 million allegedly defrauded from Kadoma miners and ZANU-PF MP Dexter Nduna.
2018 Zimbabwe Power Company bribery arrest In November 2018, Chivayo was arrested for a separate matter relating to alleged bribery involving Zimbabwe Power Company.
Political associations Chivayo was a publicly declared supporter of ZANU-PF and stated his backing for President Emmerson Mnangagwa, including publicly endorsing calls for Mnangagwa to serve beyond the then constitutional term limits.
In January 2025, Chivayo publicly criticised Acting President Constantino Chiwenga, describing him as a "failed politician" following Chiwenga's public remarks on corruption within ZANU-PF.
In February 2025, Chivayo was reported to have developed close ties with Kenyan President William Ruto, with media reports describing him as a frequent presence within the president's circle and noting his growing connections to the Kenyan presidency.
In June 2026, Chivayo's company, IMC Construction Kenya, secured a stake in the proposed US$2.9 billion expansion of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) after being included as a joint-venture partner by a Chinese consortium led by China Communications Construction Company.
Philanthropy and public gifting Chivayo became widely known in Zimbabwe for highly publicised gifts and donations to musicians, journalists, religious organisations, football clubs and personalities, as well as contributions to healthcare and other public programmes. His gifts frequently involved luxury vehicles and substantial cash payments. The BBC reported in June 2025 that his recipients included musicians, gospel singers, footballers, church leaders and supporters of the ruling ZANU–PF party, and that his public gifting had become a prominent feature of his public profile. The BBC also reported that, in addition to the publicly announced gifts, Chivayo had provided houses and educational scholarships to members and followers of his apostolic church. Religious and community donations In June 2023, Chivayo donated a Toyota Hilux D4D, a home solar system and US$100,000 to St Gerard's Parish of the Roman Catholic Church in Harare, in memory of his late mother, Canisia Chivayo. The parish said the funds were intended in part for the construction of a prayer and meeting room and the completion of projects at the church's shrine. The same report stated that Chivayo had also given Johane Masowe eChishanu leader Lawrence Lavious Katsiru and his wife, Violet, a 2023 Toyota Hilux GR Sport and a 2023 Toyota Fortuner VX, together valued at approximately US$162,000. In March 2024, Chivayo donated US$1 million to the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) during its Easter Passover festival at Mbungo Estates in Masvingo Province. ZCC leader Nehemiah Mutendi announced the donation and said it would support the church's national projects and community programmes. In November 2024, Chivayo announced a package of support worth about US$2 million for his Johane Masowe eChishanu church and a charity organisation, including ten buses and US$1 million in cash. Contemporary reporting said the initiative included three Higer 61-seater buses initially valued at US$420,000. Gifts to musicians and entertainers In January 2024, Chivayo gave musician Jah Prayzah a Mercedes-Benz S500, reported at the time as being worth approximately US$180,000. He subsequently gave Dendera musician Sulumani Chimbetu a 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE300d. Chivayo said the latter gift recognised Chimbetu's contribution to music and his participation in ZANU–PF rallies. In February 2024, Chivayo gave musician and councillor Sandra Ndebele-Sibindi a 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE400d valued at approximately US$155,000. Contemporary reporting stated that Chivayo had described the gift as part of a birthday giveaway involving selected musicians and a DJ, and specifically referred to Ndebele's participation in ZANU–PF political activities. In January 2025, Chivayo gave Zimdancehall musician Tocky Vibes a Mercedes-Benz GLE350d 4Matic. Contemporary reports valued the vehicle at approximately R1.2 million and said Chivayo presented it as recognition for the musician's contribution to Zimbabwean culture and his support for the Angel of Hope Foundation. In February 2025, Chivayo donated four vehicles and US$50,000 to the family of late sungura musician Leonard Dembo. Dembo's widow, Eunice, received a Toyota Fortuner and US$50,000 to establish a business, while the couple's three children, Morgan, Tendai and Fenistia, each received a Toyota Aqua. The donation followed media coverage of Eunice Dembo's financial difficulties. In April 2025, gospel musician Dorcas Moyo received a Toyota Fortuner from Chivayo after she became the subject of online criticism over a social-media post about one of her songs. The gift was reported as a response to the criticism and as an expression of support for the musician. In May 2025, musician Jah Prayzah received a 2025 Range Rover Autobiography and US$150,000 in cash. The BBC independently reported the gift and said Chivayo presented it as recognition of Jah Prayzah's contribution to Zimbabwean music. In November 2025, Chivayo gave musician and social-media personality Mudiwa Hood a luxury Range Rover. Hood subsequently publicly acknowledged receiving the vehicle. Gifts to journalists and media personalities In May 2025, veteran Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation broadcaster Reuben Barwe received a 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser VXR LX 300 Series and US$100,000 in cash from Chivayo. Barwe subsequently confirmed that the US$100,000 had been deposited into his bank account. Reports said Chivayo described the gift as recognition of Barwe's service and patriotism. In November 2024, former ZBC radio presenter Simon "Pashoma" Ncube appealed publicly to Chivayo for assistance after describing his financial difficulties. Chivayo subsequently offered Ncube US$20,000 and a single-cab truck valued at approximately US$15,000. Gifts connected with football