𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐲𝐨 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐔𝐒$𝟐𝟎𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐰𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐥𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐠𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞
Businessman Wicknell Chivayo has suggested he is prepared to commit as much as US$20 million a year to Johane Masowe Chishanu, while announcing another package of luxury vehicles, houses and cash for senior leaders of the apostolic sect.
Chivayo made the remarks following the church’s annual Musangano Wegore gathering in Chirumhanzi, where he praised the organisation, discipline and leadership of the church.
In remarks reported on Monday, Chivayo referred to donating US$20 million every year to the church, saying he would do so “without any hesitation”. The statement follows an earlier commitment in February, when he said he had allocated US$10 million to the church for 2026 and would double the amount to US$20 million if the initial allocation was exhausted.
The figures are Chivayo’s own stated commitments. The Granite Post Zimbabwe has not independently established how much of the proposed US$20 million has so far been spent or transferred to the church.
Range Rovers, houses and cash
In his latest announcement, Chivayo singled out Madzibaba Moses Gwanzura and Madzibaba Owen Velvet for their leadership during the annual gathering.
He said each man would receive a brand-new 2026 Range Rover Autobiography, US$50,000 in cash and a house worth US$500,000 in a Zimbabwean suburb of their choice.
The houses and cash alone would amount to US$1.1 million for the two church leaders, before the cost of the two Range Rovers is included.
Chivayo described the gifts as recognition for their work within Johane Masowe Chishanu and said his financial support for the church was motivated by his faith rather than competition or a desire to display wealth.
“For me, giving to the church has never been about competition or showing off,” he said, according to his remarks reported by ZimEye.
He said money directed to the church could be used for transport, buildings, education, welfare and other needs.
Millions already pledged this year
The latest announcement is part of a much wider programme of donations Chivayo has publicly associated with Johane Masowe Chishanu.
In February, he announced vehicles and cash worth about US$630,000 for several church leaders. At the time, he said US$10 million had been committed to the church during 2026 and that he was prepared to increase the amount to US$20 million.
He also said he had ordered another 40 buses for church use.
His spending continued ahead of the church’s annual gathering. In June, he announced further vehicle gifts while praising preparations for the conference.
Chivayo said the sight of hundreds of buses and vehicles transporting worshippers to the latest gathering had been one of the highlights of the event.
He also suggested that even the level of support provided during 2026 might not have been enough and said he was preparing to discuss the church’s 2027 budget with his wife.
High-level political presence
Chivayo’s relationship with the church has also increasingly overlapped with high-profile national events.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa attended a Johane Masowe weChishanu annual conference in Harare on August 15, where he publicly praised Chivayo for supporting the church community.
“I want to thank philanthropist Wicknell for giving back to the community,” Mnangagwa said at the gathering.
Chivayo’s highly publicised donations have, however, repeatedly attracted scrutiny over the extraordinary amounts involved and his close relationships with senior political figures.
Just days before the latest church announcement, a proposed multi-million-dollar donation by Chivayo to the Zimbabwe Republic Police triggered public debate over whether major private gifts to state institutions could create ethical or institutional concerns.
There is no suggestion that Chivayo’s donations to Johane Masowe Chishanu are unlawful.
For Chivayo, the explanation remains straightforward: he says his wealth has enabled him to support a church to which he has a deep personal attachment.
With talk now extending to another church budget for 2027, his multimillion-dollar involvement with Johane Masowe Chishanu appears set to continue.
