H-Metro Reporters
HARARE’S CBD ground to a halt yesterday as the remains of flamboyant businessman and philanthropist Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy Muteke, were taken from Doves Funeral Services to their Gletwyn home.
The funeral procession, featuring Rolls-Royces, Mercedes-Benz vehicles and a convoy of bikers, attracted widespread attention as mourners gathered to bid farewell to the couple.
Police closed Kwame Nkrumah Avenue and Harare Street to traffic as the procession made its way through the city centre.
Two white caskets stood out.
One was fitted with a Rolls-Royce grille and bore registration number WMC 777, while the other had a Mercedes-Benz front and was draped with the Zimbabwean flag. As the hearses slowly made their way out of the funeral parlour, mourners waved and shouted their final goodbyes, with many capturing the moment on their mobile phones.
Others watched from nearby buildings as the convoy passed through the CBD.
The procession was led by bikers under the leadership of renowned rider Victor “Coach Rambo” Kazembe, whose high-pitched horns and motorcycle manoeuvres added to the spectacle.
Among those who attended were businessman Scott Sakupwanya, cleric Prophet Eubert Angel and several politicians.
At the chapel, members of the Johane Masowe WeChishanu Apostolic sect took charge of the funeral proceedings, led by Madzibaba Lawrence Katsiru and Madzibaba Stanley Kazingizi.
Madzibaba Stanley said the couple would be buried according to the sect’s religious traditions, in line with their wishes.
“He was a man who loved his religion, so we will adhere to everything our founder Baba Johane said.
“We will do everything for Madzibaba Wicknell and Madzimai Lulu to make sure they are buried in the way of Baba Johane. We also want to thank his parents and family for granting us permission to do what our religion requires,” he said.
However, some traditions had to be modified because of the condition of the remains.
“The reason why we had to forego some of our traditions in respect of the coffin is obviously the condition of their bodies. If their bodies were still intact, we could have adhered to our culture, but their condition has moved us to use caskets.
“As you are aware, their bodies were crushed into pieces, and that alone has pushed us to lift some of our cultural traditions,” he said.
Madzibaba Stanley also spoke of his close relationship with Chivayo, describing him as a man who inspired him to work hard.
“Madzibaba Wicknell also taught me the importance of hard work. All the days we met, we talked about work and religion.
“We even reached a point where we met daily, teaching each other the ways of life. We even had breakfast together at his residence,” he said.
The procession later arrived at the Gletwyn family home amid light rain showers.
The mood turned sombre as the caskets were taken into the residence, with members of the Apostolic sect conducting prayers and religious rituals.
The media was barred from recording some of the proceedings as the sect took charge of the funeral rites.
