Hate for late Chivayo unites sub-Saharan Africa for first time in decades – as Kenyans, Zambians, Tanzanians join unforgiving Zimbabweans

The very first image of 43-year-old controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo’s body was taken with a cheap Techno phone, not the expensive iPhone 18 Pro Max one would expect. His butchered body spent 18 hours in the cold of a barren field in rural Marondera. Out in the open, being beaten by the elements of nature, torn to shreds by an extremely violent death, not in any luxury mortuary.

When news of his helicopter crash broke, most Zimbabweans held their breath, albeit for different reasons, as this was simply unbelievable. Only Susan Mutami, former legislator Temba Mliswa’s eccentric ex, predicted his demise to the dot. “He’s actually going to die in a plane crash.

Save this post,” Mutami said on May 28 last year. — Susan Mutami (@mutami_susan) May 28, 2025 Imagining the larger-than-life Sir Wicknell, The Bigger Preacher, Mukuru wemaZuva, the Ancient of Times, lifeless was too dramatic for the ordinary citizen who, depending on perspectives, watched in disgust or awe as he splashed tens of millions on his favourite artistes, churchmates, politicians, Parliament, self-proclaimed prophets with cult-like followership. They could not imagine that a man who spent his last years dining with Africa’s Presidents could die so easily, so quickly.

A man who dined with President Emmerson Mnangagwa, was personally driven by Kenyan President William Ruto, did not need an invite to visit Tanzanian President Samia Hassan, was on a first-name basis with Hakainde Hichilema, walked with South African leader Cyril Ramaphosa and stood alongside Nigerian leader Bola Tinubu. Controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo has shared a video of himself and his wife, Lulu, being driven by Kenyan President William Ruto. Chivayo, who said he was in Kenya to attend President Ruto’s daughter’s engagement party, described the experience as one of the most… pic.twitter.com/mYVch5JRNC — NewZimbabwe.com (@NewZimbabweCom) August 10, 2026 But for the poor, the downtrodden of Zimbabwe who watched as millions that could have been channeled towards their healthcare were gifted to prominent singer Jah Prayzah, death is an equaliser.

“Empathy is not owed to oppressors. Mourning is not mandatory,” said political activist Treasure Basopo. The morally upright have been preaching ubuntu/hunhu and refuse to partake in celebrations, while the c…