Entrepreneur Wicknell Chivayo has acquired the former commissioner-general of the Zimbabwe Republic Police’s mansion previously owned by Augustine Chihuri in Harare.
Chihuri, who led the country’s police force from 1991 until December 2017, saw his US$7 million mansion in transferred to Chivayo.
Amidst the political upheaval in November 2017, when tanks entered Harare to facilitate the removal of Robert Mugabe, Chihuri, the only security chief aligned with Mugabe, was arrested and later fled to Malawi.
In 2020, Zimbabwe’s National Prosecuting Authority attached his mansion as part of an investigation into his amassed wealth, categorized as “unexplainable.” Chihuri contested the action, alleging personal animosity with President Mnangagwa and describing his situation as politically motivated due to his refusal to support the coup.
In 2022, Chihuri succeeded in reclaiming his property after the state failed to substantiate allegations of embezzlement. However, the mansion in Harare’s Gletwyn suburb is now in Chivayo’s possession.
Recently furnished by the South African luxury firm Norman Bakos, the mansion’s renovation costs are estimated to exceed US$100,000 according to Chivayo’s associates.
Chivayo’s legal representatives, Messrs Manase and Manase, engaged advocate Lewis Uriri to affirm to News24 that Chivayo is a beneficiary of the property, which is owned by a trust whose identity remains undisclosed pending processing.
While Chivayo acknowledges ownership of the mansion, his affiliation with Zimbabwe’s political elite, notably President Mnangagwa, has attracted attention. Reports suggest disapproval within the ruling Zanu PF party regarding his proximity to the president.
Chivayo’s generosity towards Zanu PF supporters, evidenced by his distribution of luxury cars including Mercedes Benz and Toyota Hilux, has drawn scrutiny. Despite investigations by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission yielding no evidence, questions persist about the source of his wealth.
In a separate incident in 2004, Chivayo received a three-year prison sentence for failing to honor a financial agreement with a South African counterpart involving currency exchange.
Source News24
