Yesha
Senior Member
- Jan 28, 2026
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HARARE – The estate of late businessman Wicknell Chivayo is facing claims of more than US$5 million from three major Harare car dealers, raising fresh questions about his financial arrangements and the true extent of his wealth.
According to ZimLive, Exquisite Cars, Enterprise Car Sales and Faramatsi Motors are owed a combined US$5.1 million, with Faramatsi Motors accounting for the largest reported outstanding amount of US$2.4 million.
Exquisite Cars, owned by Victor Vikela, is reportedly owed US$1.4 million, while Enterprise Car Sales, owned by Madzibaba Tendai Chipanga, is owed US$1.3 million.
Chivayo, who died alongside his wife, Lucy, in a helicopter crash near Marondera on September 30, was widely known for his publicised giveaways of luxury vehicles and cash to individuals, churches and other institutions.
Sources familiar with his dealings told ZimLive that he operated under credit arrangements that allowed him to take delivery of vehicles and settle payments later, typically within three months.
One source said payments to dealers were linked to government disbursements, which reportedly provided much of Chivayo’s income.
“Go and see Victor” became a familiar phrase when Chivayo announced that someone would receive a luxury vehicle, referring to Vikela of Exquisite Cars.
Vikela declined to disclose details of their business relationship, citing respect for Chivayo’s legacy and their personal relationship. However, he disputed the reported debt figures as greatly exaggerated, adding that whatever Chivayo owed his business had been written off.
Faramatsi Motors owner Matsika, who also owns Doves Funeral Services, declined to discuss the matter, citing client confidentiality. Chipanga could not be reached for comment.
Estate faces wider financial claims
The reported debts offer a glimpse into the financial arrangements behind Chivayo’s high-profile lifestyle as his family prepares to appoint an executor to administer his estate.ZimLive also reported that South African car dealers who supplied vehicles before receiving full payment are seeking to recover outstanding amounts. Some vehicles are reportedly stranded at the Beitbridge border post because customs duty has not been fully paid.
The claims raise questions about how much of Chivayo’s wealth was held in fully paid-for assets and how much depended on continued cash flow from business dealings and government contracts.
Through companies including IMC Communications, Intratrek and TTM Global Medical Exports, Chivayo held government contracts worth nearly US$1 billion, according to the report.
The future of these businesses remains uncertain following his death, given his central role in their operations and his connections to lucrative government contracts, many of which were reportedly awarded without competitive bidding.
Chivayo had also claimed ownership of properties in Dubai, Eswatini, Johannesburg and Cape Town. He is believed to have completed the purchase of a property in England valued at US$12 million just days before his death.
Meanwhile, his Gulfstream G550 private jet, which he valued at US$34 million, reportedly left Zimbabwe on Sunday and landed in Basel, Switzerland. It remains unclear who authorised the aircraft’s movement or the arrangements under which it was repositioned.
The estate’s administrators will need to establish the ownership status of these assets and determine whether any remain subject to outstanding payments or other claims.
Questions over Gletwyn mansion
One of the most significant property issues concerns Chivayo’s mansion in Harare’s Gletwyn suburb, which sits on four adjoining stands covering a combined 11.5 hectares.According to a sale agreement seen by ZimLive, Chivayo agreed to purchase the property from former police commissioner-general Augustine Chihuri in 2017 for US$2.555 million.
The agreement required an initial payment of US$1 million, with the remaining US$1.555 million due within a year. It also stated that failure to settle the balance within that period would render the agreement “null and void and of no effect.”
The transfer of ownership from Chihuri’s True Hope Trust to Chivayo’s WMC Family Trust was conditional on full payment of the purchase price, transfer fees, stamp duty and obligations to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA).
However, the transaction reportedly encountered difficulties over the property’s valuation for tax purposes.
A lawyer familiar with the matter told ZimLive that ZIMRA valued the property at US$7 million when calculating capital gains tax. At the reported applicable rate of 20 percent, the tax liability would amount to US$1.4 million.
Chihuri reportedly objected to the tax burden because the agreed purchase price was substantially lower than ZIMRA’s valuation. Chivayo is said to have offered to cover the tax, but the transfer was never completed.
The mansion’s ownership and the status of the sale agreement could now become issues for the estate’s executor to resolve. One legal expert told ZimLive that Chihuri could seek to reclaim the property, potentially treating Chivayo’s part-payment as rent rather than a deposit towards the purchase.
As the administration of the estate approaches, the reported debts, property disputes and outstanding payments could complicate efforts to establish the full value of Chivayo’s assets and liabilities.
Source: ZimLive
