What happens when he slides into her inbox — Fadzayi Mahere warns married women against accepting Wicknell Chivayo’s gifts
Former Member of Parliament and lawyer Fadzayi Mahere has warned professionals and religious leaders against accepting gifts from politically connected individuals, saying doing so could compromise their independence.
Mahere also warned them against allowing their wives to accept such gifts, saying it could place them in awkward situations if the benefactor contacts the women directly.
“The key word is independence. If you take their cars or cash, vanokuita muranda wavo (they make you their slave). No self-respecting professional or person wants that,” said Mahere.
“The guy compliments your wife and gives her US$50K for a ‘handbag’. You smile and say thank you. What do you think will happen when he slides into her DMs?
“What happens when they ask you to pay the ‘favour’ back? Musanyepedzere kuzungaira (Don’t feign ignorance). This is a corrupt, dangerous zhet (deal). Do not fall for it! Unoita fuza ravo (You become their fool)!”
Mahere made the remarks after Wicknell Chivayo offered Advocate Lewis Uriri a brand-new 2026 Range Rover Sport Autobiography valued at US$250,000, US$50,000 in cash for fuel, and a further US$50,000 for his wife, Mrs Uriri, as a “handbag allowance”.
Uriri politely declined the gifts, saying they could reasonably create a perception of personal financial obligation extending beyond a concluded and fully remunerated professional engagement.
However, other prominent Zimbabweans and their wives have accepted similar gifts from Chivayo.
These include Zion Christian Church leader Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi and his wife, who received luxury vehicles worth a combined US$590,000 — a brand-new 2025 Range Rover Autobiography SV for the Bishop, priced at US$400,000, and a 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series for Amai Mutendi, worth US$190,000.
United Family International Church founder Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa and his wife Ruth also accepted gifts. Chivayo delivered a brand-new 2026 Rolls-Royce Cullinan facelift to Makandiwa and a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon to his wife, and later a third vehicle — a 2026 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 given as an anniversary gift for the couple.
Another example is Prophet Ian Ndlovu of Divine Kingdom Baptist Ministries and his wife, who were gifted a 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series VXR for the clergyman and a 2025 Toyota Fortuner 2.8D GD6 for his wife to support her charity work. *_-Pindula_*
