Zimbabwean Mogul's Funeral Sparks Firestorm: Political Snubs, Shocking Scandals & Secret DMs Unveiled!

Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy “Lulu” Muteke, were interred side by side on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at Sahwira Glen Forest Memorial Park in Harare. Their elaborate funeral was a significant event, drawing senior government officials, prominent business leaders, and thousands of mourners. The couple tragically lost their lives on September 30, 2026, in a helicopter crash near Marondera, Zimbabwe. The accident also claimed the lives of three other individuals: two pilots and Lucy’s aide. Chivayo, who had been accorded Provincial Hero status by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in recognition of his philanthropic contributions, received military honours during the burial ceremony. Members of the Zimbabwe National Army participated, firing a ceremonial gun salute as the couple’s caskets were lowered into their respective graves. The Zimbabwean national flag was observed flying at half-mast, contributing to the solemnity of the occasion, though it was not officially confirmed whether flags were ordered lowered nationwide.

The funeral was attended by numerous high-ranking government officials, politicians, traditional and religious leaders, business personalities, and other dignitaries, including a delegation representing King Mswati III of Eswatini. The couple’s final procession through Harare featured an impressive convoy of luxury vehicles, including Rolls-Royces, a display that mirrored the lavish lifestyle for which Chivayo was widely known. Although Chivayo was not declared a National Hero, the military honours and extensive government representation lent the ceremony many characteristics typically associated with a state funeral. The burial brought an end to days of mourning following the tragic deaths of Chivayo and his wife, whose graves now lie permanently side by side.

Despite the solemnity, the funeral proceedings were punctuated by revelations that cast a spotlight on Chivayo's controversial business dealings and personal conduct. One such incident involved a social media exposé by a user known as “Pushy Queen.” A video clip, reportedly filmed in a bedroom setting, displayed a smartphone screen showing alleged Instagram direct messages from Chivayo. These messages reportedly contained compliments such as “you are beautiful” and “you are so perfect,” along with expressions of a desire to connect further. Pushy Queen chose to share these alleged messages following Chivayo’s death, which occurred when he was returning to Harare with his wife and others after visiting their rural home in Gandami, Chikomba district. According to Pushy Queen, Chivayo had sent these messages repeatedly over several years, but she claimed she never responded or reciprocated his interest. Her decision to go public with the chats at such a sensitive time generated widespread online commentary, with many questioning her motives.

Further compounding the complexity of Chivayo’s legacy were the unsolicited revelations made by his younger brother, Joachim “GSix” or “G6” Chivayo, during the funeral. G6 recounted an emotional story about a business deal from 2015 concerning the long-delayed Gwanda solar project. He claimed that Wicknell convinced him to sell his cars to raise US$220,000, promising him a US$1 million share once Intratrek Zimbabwe received its US$5 million advance from the Zimbabwe Power Company. G6, trusting his brother, sold most of his vehicles to secure the funds. He recalled his joy when Wicknell informed him less than two months later that the deal had supposedly gone through, and US$5 million had been paid. However, G6 claimed that things took a different turn; Wicknell became unreachable, ghosting him for weeks. When contact was finally re-established, G6 was allegedly told the money was gone, and he was offered a BMW X6 valued at around US$400,000 as compensation. G6 described this experience as an example of Sir Wicknell’s aggressive business and “hustling” mentality, asserting that even family members were not exempt from his tactics.

The Gwanda solar project itself stands as a stark reminder of stalled ambition. Intratrek Zimbabwe, a company closely associated with Chivayo, secured the tender for the 100-megawatt plant around 2014–2015, with an original engineering, procurement, and construction value near US$172 million, later restated to approximately US$132 million. An advance of about US$5 million to US$5.7 million (including VAT) was paid for pre-commencement works. Despite this, meaningful construction never materialized, leading the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) to attempt contract cancellation by 2018. Years of litigation followed, with both the High Court and later the Supreme Court keeping the agreement alive. Chivayo was arrested and charged with fraud and related offences over the advance, though he was eventually acquitted amid delays and the state’s failure to establish a prima facie case. Notably, in September 2026, mere weeks before the fatal helicopter crash, ZPC issued a fresh Notice to Proceed, giving Intratrek 24 months to complete the plant, with another mobilization payment anticipated. Throughout these challenges, Chivayo maintained a defiant public stance, declaring the project “the worst thing that has happened in my life” and insisting on his willingness to invest his own money. He consistently argued that courts had vindicated Intratrek and that the company owed the state nothing. Yet, the site remained largely undeveloped, while Zimbabwe grappled with severe load-shedding. The brother’s funeral account now offers a personal explanation for part of the delay: when the advance arrived, priority was given to luxury spending rather than project development or familial obligations.

The willingness of G6 to speak so openly at his brother’s funeral is particularly remarkable given his own legal circumstances. Joachim Chivayo is currently wanted in South Africa by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, known as the Hawks. In November 2024, he and a co-accused, Ayanda Brian Gungwa, were arrested in Brakpan, Gauteng, during a Serious Organised Crime Investigation operation. Six bars of unwrought gold, valued at approximately R15 million, were seized, along with a Mercedes-Benz SUV. They were charged under the Precious Metals Act for unlawful possession of unwrought precious metals. Granted R20,000 bail each by the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court, they were ordered to remain in Gauteng, not to leave South Africa, and to report weekly to Brakpan Police Station. However, they failed to appear, and on March 11, 2025, the court issued J50 warrants of arrest. GSix has since been seen living openly in Zimbabwe, where he holds the position of ZANU PF deputy secretary for information and publicity in Harare province, despite the active warrants. Thus, the man who openly accused his brother of financial impropriety over a family debt is himself a fugitive from South African justice in a high-value gold case.

Public scrutiny and criticism of Chivayo’s business practices have long been a feature of his public life. The 2018 parliamentary grilling saw then-committee chairman Temba Mliswa press Chivayo intensely on the Gwanda advance, with Chivayo admitting to receiving US$5 million without the required bank guarantee, attributing it to political intervention. Critics frequently labeled Intratrek as a “briefcase company” and questioned how a man with a prior fraud conviction could repeatedly secure large state-linked contracts. While Chivayo’s defenders pointed to his court victories and public philanthropy, his brother’s testimony now sits uncomfortably between these two narratives, offering a private account of unreliability that mirrors public suspicions.

Another notable aspect of the funeral was the absence of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, which sparked intense debate on social media. Many Zimbabweans connected his absence to his past criticisms of wealthy and politically connected business figures, often referred to as “zvigananda.” Chiwenga had previously warned against individuals who accumulate vast wealth while ordinary citizens struggle with unemployment, poverty, and rising living costs, advocating for wealth to be used to uplift communities and create opportunities. Despite widespread speculation regarding a potential disagreement with Chivayo, no official reason was given for Chiwenga’s absence. The funeral was, however, attended by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Vice President Kembo Mohadi, and other senior officials, underscoring the mixed signals surrounding Chivayo’s status and legacy.

Ultimately, Wicknell Chivayo leaves behind a legacy riddled with contradictions. His public image as a provincial hero and philanthropist, celebrated with military honours and a lavish funeral, stands in stark contrast to the private accusations of financial impropriety leveled by his own brother and the persistent public questions surrounding his business dealings and the long-stalled Gwanda solar project. The funeral, intended to provide closure, instead served as a platform that opened old wounds and illuminated the complex priorities of a man who could extract capital from family and then seemingly prioritize luxury consumption over familial and national obligations. The US$5 million that vanished into shoe purchases may never be fully accounted for in a courtroom, but in the court of public memory, the brother’s testimony has already delivered its poignant verdict, reinforcing a public perception of spectacle over substance and personal gratification over collective responsibility.