A prominent opposition lawmaker has formally challenged the government to investigate the "unexplained wealth" of controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo, whose recent streak of multi-million dollar donations has ignited a firestorm of public debate and allegations of financial impropriety.
The businessman, who has a documented history of legal entanglements involving state infrastructure projects, has transitioned into a highly visible philanthropist.
His recent activities include the distribution of high-end luxury vehicles, massive cash handouts, and substantial contributions to religious organisations, prominent musicians, and various social groups.
However, this sudden surge of "largesse" prompted Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) legislator Corban Madzivanyika to question the origins of these funds and why the state has remained silent.
During a heated session in Parliament last week, Madzivanyika, the MP for Imbizo, specifically targeted the legality of Chivayo’s cash-heavy donations under existing financial regulations.
The lawmaker pointed to a series of high-value gifts, including the donation of 10 ambulances and 200,000 liters of fuel—estimated to be worth over $400 000—to the government.
This followed a similar donation of 10 ambulances made just last year.
Addressing Home Affairs minister Kazembe Kazembe during a supplementary question session, Madzivanyika questioned whether the public display of massive cash reserves violated the Exchange Control Act.
“We have seen in the past individuals holding millions of cash, distributing and making donations,” Madzivanyika said.
He pushed the executive for clarity on whether the state was monitoring the movement of such large volumes of hard currency outside of traditional banking systems.
“Does the Ministry of Home Affairs investigate people such as Wicknell Chivayo and other alleged philanthropists?” he asked.
In response, Kazembe appeared to sidestep the direct call for an investigation into Chivayo’s person, instead pivoting to a technical explanation of banking oversight.
Kazembe noted that while there are strict limits on how much cash can be pulled from a bank account daily, the mere act of holding money is not necessarily a crime.
“The Hon. Member clearly stated that cash withdrawals have a limit of US10,000.
However,that does not translate to an offence if someone has more than US10 000,” Kazembe informed the house.
He said the Ministry of Home Affairs was not the primary arbiter of financial limits, stating, “What is limited is the withdrawal and that is controlled by the banks themselves. As to people having more than US$10 000, I would refer that question to the minister of Finance if that amounts to an offence.”
Finance minister Mthuli Ncube joined the defence, reinforcing the legal distinction between the source of funds and the possession of physical cash.
Ncube argued that an individual could theoretically accumulate a massive amount of cash legally over a period of time.
“The law is very clear in terms of limiting withdrawals; it limits withdrawals from the bank,” Ncube explained to the Parliament.
“You can keep withdrawing for the next 10 days or 30 days. By that time, you will have a lot of money with you. It is not illegal to be found in possession of that money at all. There is no illegality.”
Unsatisfied with the ministers' focus on withdrawal mechanics, Madzivanyika pressed further, suggesting that the ministers were ignoring broader concerns regarding money laundering and the potential circumvention of the Exchange Control Act.
He claimed to have seen evidence of irregular banking interactions.
“I raised two issues, Madam Speaker. The first one was to do with the Exchange Control Act and the other one was to do with money laundering,” the MP insisted.
“We have seen letters addressed to banks requesting withdrawals of such large sums of money. Honestly, holding cash is not an offence. However, withdrawing large sums of money beyond US$10000 becomes an offence.”
Kazembe acknowledged the mention of specific banking correspondence, but dismissed the verbal claims as insufficient evidence for the police to act upon.
He challenged the MP to provide hard evidence through official channels, saying, “I would ask the Hon. Member to put it in writing with all the necessary details.”
The debate surrounding Chivayo is compounded by his controversial business record. He is perhaps best known for his involvement in a stalled US$200 million solar project in Gwanda.
This project led to a protracted legal battle with the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company, despite Chivayo having received substantial advance payments for work that was never fulfilled.