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NewsDay

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Chiyangwas $1,6m pledge raises eyebrows

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Flamboyant businessman Philip Chiyangwa raised eyebrows on Saturday evening when he pledged to donate $1,6 million to the University of Zimbabwe (UZ). Chiyangwa made the pledge at a fundraising dinner attended by former South African President Thabo Mbeki. The institution is seeking to raise $70 million to resuscitate some of its departments. Deputy Prime Minister […]

Flamboyant businessman Philip Chiyangwa raised eyebrows on Saturday evening when he pledged to donate $1,6 million to the University of Zimbabwe (UZ).

Chiyangwa made the pledge at a fundraising dinner attended by former South African President Thabo Mbeki.

The institution is seeking to raise $70 million to resuscitate some of its departments.

Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara, who invited Mbeki, is trying to help the institution to raise $20 million of the total amount.

Several individuals and companies pledged $460 000 towards the initiative.

Mbada Diamonds adopted the now dysfunctional metallurgy department and promised to resuscitate it.

But Chiyangwa, who has been in the news of late for allegedly failing to pay his workers, stunned people who attended the dinner when he offered to build a chapel valued at $1,6 million for the university.

He said he will engage South Africa-based businessman Mutumwa Mawere and other construction industry captains from the neighbouring country to partner him in the project.

His pledge was met with derision from some of the guests who claimed it was a Zanu PF tactic to hoodwink people.

Yesterday he told an online publication he had the money.

There is currently no church at the UZ. Where there is no God, there is a problem, Chiyangwa told New Zimbabwe.com.

Over the years, there has been too many riots and injuries . . . there must be some peace.

I made the commitment because I have got the money. God gives me favour every day, he added. Zanu PF officials were accused of hijacking the event after they took turns to make political statements.

Former ambassador to China, Christopher Mutsvangwa, was the first to churn out Zanu PF propaganda as he explained why he graduated after Zimbabwes Independence.