daniel chigunwe
Latwell Nyangu
HOW much has Sir Wicknell splashed this year alone in vehicles he has bought for various individuals and the money which he is now pumping into football?
It’s a huge amount which, in our conservative calculations, could be between US$3 and US$4 million.
That’s a massive injection by any kind of imagination.
Yesterday, he splashed a US$20 000 cash donation and a US$15 000 truck to former ZBC presenter Simon “Pashoma” Ncube, who had hit a very rough patch.
“My attention has been drawn to a heartfelt plea after watching this heartbreaking video from Simon ‘Pashoma’ Ncube, a former ZBC Radio DJ who served our national broadcaster with passion and dedication for many years.
“I remember when I was young Pashoma Ncube was a household name on Radio 2 (now Radio Zimbabwe), and many of us grew up listening to him. To now see him living in despair, without the pension he rightfully earned, is both painful and deplorable.
“The video showing him on crutches and in visibly difficult conditions, left me deeply moved. It is devastating to witness someone who was once an icon of Zimbabwean radio now struggling in such destitute circumstances.
“To assist you, on Monday next week please go and see my lawyer, Mr Sikhumbuzo Mpofu of Munangate and Associates in Harare, who will give you US$20,000 in cash.
“He will also take you to Enterprise Car Sale where Madzibaba Chipaga will let you choose a single cab truck valued at no more than US$15,000 to support your farming activities and improve your mobility.”
Nine months ago, our sister newspaper, The Sunday Mail, estimated that Wicknell Chivayo had already splashed about US$5 million on cash and cars, including the vehicles he bought last year.
That was the time he bought a brand new S500 Mercedes-Benz, worth US$180 000, for superstar musician Jah Prayzah.
Barely a week later, Sir Wicknell announced he had bought Suluman Chimbetu a brand-new 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE 300 with an estimated market value of US$140 000.
Scores of others, including Alick Macheso, have received similar expensive gifts.
He announced that he had “spoiled” his Johanne Masowe Apostolic sect fellow church members with 50 Toyota Aqua vehicles.
Now, Sir Wicknell has secured 20 Aquas for ambitious football club, Scottland, for being crowned champions of the ZIFA Northern Region Division One championship.
He has also announced that he will give the side, which is owned by his friend Scott Sakupwanya, a US$1 million cash prize to celebrate their fine achievement and has set aside another US$600 000 for them to use in their debut Premiership season.
Given that the clubs which win the domestic Premiership get US$100 000 at the end of the season, Sir Wicknell’s US$1,6 million cash donation into the coffers of Scottland is a massive financial commitment.
That money alone is 16 times when the winners of this year’s domestic Premiership, Simba Bhora, will receive for being champions.
There have been complaints from some circles that these huge cash injections are tilting the playing field in local football.
However, those who are backing the ambitious newboys like Scottland are arguing that the balance of power changed with the arrival of the platinum-backed sides like FC Platinum and Ngezi Platinum on the domestic football scene.
“When these teams arrived, the game changed in a big way and that is why you can see that they have sort of monopolised the domestic championship between themselves,” said a local football agent. Many of our best players no longer want to play for the traditional big boys like Dynamos, Highlanders and CAPS United but were going where they stood the best chance of living a life they would be proud of.
“Walter Musona never played for any of our Big Three teams but has played for FC Platinum and Simba Bhora.
“He could be going to Scottland, if what we are hearing is correct, and that tells you that e landscape has changed a lot.
“The arrival of Scottland, with the likes of Sir Wicknell in tow, seems like is even changing the game even more and the money we are seeing being splashed as motivation to the players cannot be resisted because these boys are professionals and they have families to take care of.”
Yesterday, Sir Wicknell announced a US$250 000 bonus for the Warriors for qualifying for the 2025 AFCON finals.
“The Zimbabwe National Team, the Warriors have proudly secured their qualification for the 2025 AFCON, marking a significant milestone in our Nation’s sporting history,” he wrote on his social media pages.
“This achievement has been built on teamwork, dedication & skill, and highlights the collective effort of the players, technical team, and support staff.
“In line with the President’s mantra of ‘leaving no one and no place behind’ and in unwavering support of local sports, HON. SCOTT SAKUPWANYA and I are proud to announce a small donation of US$250 000 to the Warriors.
“This gesture serves as a token of appreciation for their exceptional achievement in raising Zimbabwe’s flag high on the continental stage.
“Upon our return from Paris next week and after all required protocols have been observed through the Ministry of Sports, we will officially hand over this contribution for the team’s collective benefit.”
Online Reporter