Prophet Uebert Angel offers to pay up to US$2 million of Wicknell Chivayo’s debts

Prophet Uebert Angel has offered to help settle up to US$2 million in debts allegedly left by his late friend, businessman Wicknell Chivayo, but insists that creditors must provide evidence to support their claims.

Angel made the offer during a church service, in a five-minute video clip that circulated on social media platform X on Sunday.

“If he gave me two million worth, it is my duty to try and cover two million worth, but you just need to prove beyond reasonable doubt that he owed you,” he said.

The prophet said he was dealing with two individuals, one of whom he expected to meet this week. He did not identify the creditors or disclose how much they were owed.

Angel added that other claimants could pursue their cases through Chivayo’s estate and, if necessary, the courts. He said he had assigned someone to verify the claims.

Chivayo, a prominent Zanu PF-linked businessman known for gifting luxury vehicles and large sums of money, died alongside his wife, Lucy Muteke, when their helicopter crashed near Marondera on September 30. He was 43.

*Car dealers claim millions*

The offer comes amid reports that Chivayo owed several Harare car dealerships millions of dollars.

ZimLive recently reported that Faramatsi Motors was owed approximately US$2.4 million, Exquisite Cars US$1.4 million and Enterprise Car Sales US$1.3 million, bringing the alleged total to about US$5.1 million.

According to the report, the vehicles were supplied on credit, with payments generally expected within three months and linked to government payments to Chivayo’s companies.

However, the figures remain disputed. Exquisite Cars owner Victor Vikela reportedly said the amounts had been greatly exaggerated and that the debt owed to his business had been written off. Faramatsi Motors’ owner declined to discuss transactions involving clients.

Meanwhile, Briefly News reported that Enterprise Car Sales representative Tendai Chipanga confirmed that about 15 vehicles Chivayo had given away had not been fully paid for before his death.

Chipanga said the matter would be resolved after the estate proceedings were completed and that no vehicles had been repossessed.

Among those reportedly affected is sungura musician Sugar Sugar, who has said he does not have the registration book for the Toyota Fortuner he received from Chivayo.

*Angel defends his late friend*

Angel questioned the public discussion surrounding the alleged debts, arguing that Chivayo’s financial affairs had not yet been fully established.

“Everyone in business has debts,” he said, adding that no claims had been settled through the courts and that the estate had not yet been fully assessed.

He also challenged the reported US$5 million debt figure against claims that Chivayo had given away tens of millions of dollars.

Angel argued that Chivayo had distributed more than US$100 million in gifts, although publicly reported figures and Chivayo’s own claims have varied.

“You insult the dead,” he said, criticising those making allegations without what he considered sufficient evidence.

Chivayo’s reported generosity had also extended to Angel and his family. According to media reports, Chivayo announced a US$250,000 cash gift for Angel’s birthday in September, alongside a Rolls-Royce Ghost for his wife, Prophetess Beverly Angel.

Angel reportedly acknowledged receiving the cash gift and a further US$150,000 for fuel. Other reports have also linked the couple to additional luxury vehicle gifts from Chivayo.

Following the helicopter crash, Angel described Chivayo as a brother and an uncle to his children.

He also expressed concern about the impact of public allegations on Chivayo’s surviving family, including his two young children, who are expected to inherit his estate.

*Estate must settle valid claims*

Under Zimbabwe’s estate administration procedures, an executor is appointed to manage a deceased person’s assets, establish liabilities and settle legitimate debts and taxes before distributing the remaining estate to beneficiaries.

Creditors must therefore provide supporting documentation for their claims, which can be assessed through the estate administration process.

The appointment of an executor and the verification of liabilities will be crucial in determining the extent of Chivayo’s debts and how they will be settled.

Angel concluded by warning social media users against spreading unverified claims about the deceased.

“Death knows everyone’s address,” he said. “Learn how to control your mouth. If somebody is gone, dead, just speak what you know. Don’t speak lies.”

Whether the creditors will benefit from Angel’s offer remains to be seen, with proof of the alleged debts likely to determine the next steps. *_-Zimdaily_*