By Tendai Keith Guvamombe
Prominent Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo, popularly known as Sir Wicknell, has hit back at social media “prosecutors” following intense speculation regarding his presence during South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent private visit to Zimbabwe. In a characteristically bold and unfiltered statement, Chivayo addressed rumors labeling him a “person of interest” in South Africa, dismissing the allegations as a manufactured smear campaign.
Distancing from Legal Rumors
The core of Chivayo’s clarification rests on a distinction between his personal affairs and those of his younger brother, Joacham Chivayo. Acknowledging that the Chivayo surname naturally attracts public curiosity due to its association with “big business and success,” Sir Wicknell emphasized that he is not wanted for any criminal offense in South Africa, Zimbabwe, or elsewhere.
”I cannot meaningfully comment on matters relating to [Joacham’s] private affairs… If there are legal processes involving him anywhere, those matters are personal to him and have absolutely nothing to do with me,” Chivayo stated.
He further noted that any individual, including his brother, is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, rather than through the lens of social media.
The Vetting Defense
Chivayo also addressed the controversy surrounding his proximity to President Ramaphosa during the visit. He argued that VVIP security protocols are exhaustive, asserting that no one enters the close proximity of two sitting Heads of State without extensive screening by state security institutions. To him, his presence in the welcoming delegation was a mark of his unquestionable integrity rather than a cause for suspicion.
A Defiant Stance
Currently vacationing in Cape Town, Chivayo pointed out the irony of being labeled a fugitive while moving freely and openly through official immigration channels. He attributed the current outcry to a mix of political detraction and a “uniquely African” tendency to associate wealth with criminality.
Despite the noise, Sir Wicknell remains undeterred. Closing his statement with his trademark bravado, he likened himself to an elephant undisturbed by barking dogs, vowing to remain focused on his multi-billionaire goals and his unapologetic support for the ZANU PF and ANC revolutionary parties.