HARARE – Wicknell Chivayo, the flamboyant Zimbabwean businessman often referred to as “Sir Wicknell” and known for his extravagant gifts of luxury cars to musicians and church leaders, finds himself once again under intense scrutiny. While he has frequently navigated legal challenges in Zimbabwe, often attributed to his close ties with the political elite, South African authorities appear to be taking a different, more resolute approach.
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, commonly known as the Hawks, has issued arrest warrants for two individuals, Joachim “G6” Chivayo and Ayanda Brian Gungwa, in connection with a substantial R15 million gold smuggling and money laundering case. This development raises pertinent questions about the true source of Chivayo’s wealth and the extent of his influence, particularly given widespread public speculation that his lavish spending is funded by President Mnangagwa, with whom Chivayo has publicly claimed a “father-and-son” relationship.
Joachim Chivayo is the Zanu PF's deputy secretary for information and publicity in Harare province. He is also a young brother to Wicknell Chivayo, while Brian Gungwa is a 22-year-old man with a South African citizenship. Chivayo, sometimes referred to as Joacham, was appointed Zanu PF’s deputy secretary for information and publicity in Harare province in September 2025. He is also the founder of ZimSports4ED, a Zanu PF affiliate organisation.
This investigative piece delves into the intricate details surrounding the R15 million gold deal, exploring the alleged tactics used to move funds across borders and the individuals potentially involved in facilitating these illicit transactions. We will also examine the timing of these warrants and their broader implications for Wicknell Chivayo’s public image and his extensive “philanthropic” endeavours in Zimbabwe. Is there a deeper, perhaps “hidden conspiracy” involving high-ranking officials who benefit from Chivayo’s largesse, and does this explain the protection he has seemingly enjoyed for so long? The net appears to be tightening around one of Zimbabwe’s most controversial figures, an ally of President Mnangagwa, with international legal pressure mounting and the potential for extradition looming.
The R15 Million Gold Bust: A Closer Look
The case that has brought this saga to the forefront involves the arrest of Joachim “G6” Chivayo, aged 35, and Ayanda Brian Gungwa, aged 22, on November 28, 2024. The Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team apprehended the pair in Brakpan, South Africa, after they were found in possession of six bars of unwrought gold, valued at approximately R15 million. A Mercedes-Benz SUV was also seized during the operation, highlighting the scale of the alleged illicit activity.
Brigadier Thandi Mbambo, the national Hawks spokesperson, confirmed the details of the arrests and subsequent legal proceedings to IOL. According to Mbambo, both accused were granted bail of R20,000 each by the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court on the same day of their arrest, November 28, 2024. However, this bail came with stringent conditions: neither individual was permitted to leave the Republic of South Africa or the province of Gauteng until the finalisation of the matter. Furthermore, they were required to report to the Brakpan Police Station once a week, every Sunday, commencing December 1, 2024.
The matter was initially postponed to February 25, 2025, to allow for further investigation. Yet, a critical turn in the case occurred when both Joachim Chivayo and Ayanda Brian Gungwa failed to appear in court after their release on bail. Consequently, on March 11, 2025, the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court issued J50 warrants of arrest for both men, and they have since been circulated as wanted suspects. The Hawks have not publicly disclosed whether they believe the accused remain within South Africa’s borders.
The Chivayo Connection: Family, Fortune, and Politics
While Wicknell Chivayo himself is not directly implicated in this specific R15 million gold smuggling case, his association with Joachim “G6” Chivayo is undeniable and forms a crucial part of the narrative. Wicknell Chivayo has publicly acknowledged Joachim as his “dear little brother,” celebrating his birthday in a May 2025 Facebook post and commending what he described as a “growing business empire”. This familial link, coupled with Wicknell’s own controversial past and lavish lifestyle, draws attention to the broader context of wealth accumulation and influence within certain circles in Zimbabwe.
Wicknell Chivayo’s public persona is characterised by ostentatious displays of wealth, including high-end luxury vehicles and generous donations. His close ties to Zimbabwe’s political establishment, particularly his association with President Emmerson Mnangagwa, have been well-documented. Chivayo himself has reportedly referred to President Mnangagwa as his “father,” publicly stating that he enjoys a close “father-and-son” relationship with the Zanu PF strongman. These connections, coupled with the public perception that Chivayo lacks a legitimate business capable of sustaining his multi-million-dollar expenditures, have fuelled widespread speculation that his wealth originates from President Mnangagwa. These connections have often led to speculation regarding the source of his multi-million-dollar income, especially given the lack of transparent business dealings that would typically justify such opulence.
Further deepening the political connections, social media posts reveal that both Joachim “G6” Chivayo and Ayanda Brian Gungwa (also known as “Naison Pharaoh” Chivayo) attended a graduation ceremony at the Chitepo School of Ideology in Harare. This institution is a political training ground directly associated with Zimbabwe’s ruling party, ZANU-PF. Such affiliations raise questions about the potential interplay between political influence, business ventures, and alleged illicit activities, suggesting a complex web of relationships that may have historically provided a degree of protection.
Unravelling the “Rope-a-Dope” Tactics and Mutual Legal Assistance
The initial prompt for this article referenced “rope-a-dope” tactics used to move funds across borders. While direct evidence linking this specific term to the Chivayo gold smuggling case was not found in the immediate research, the concept generally refers to strategies employed to evade detection and prosecution. In the context of cross-border illicit financial flows, such tactics often involve complex layering of transactions, use of shell companies, and exploitation of regulatory loopholes to obscure the origin and destination of funds. The R15 million gold deal, involving unwrought gold and a significant monetary value, strongly suggests a sophisticated operation designed to bypass conventional financial oversight.
One of the critical elements in combating such transnational crimes is Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA). This process allows countries to request and provide assistance to each other in criminal matters, including the identification, freezing, and confiscation of assets, as well as the extradition of suspects. For individuals like Joachim Chivayo, who have allegedly skipped bail and are now wanted by South African authorities, the MLA process between Zimbabwe and South Africa becomes paramount.
Historically, the effectiveness of MLA between the two nations has faced challenges, particularly when politically connected individuals are involved. However, the Hawks’ determination in pursuing this case, despite the accused’s failure to appear in court, indicates a potential shift. The issuance of J50 warrants and the circulation of the suspects as wanted individuals signify a serious intent to bring them to justice. This time, it may prove significantly more difficult for the accused to evade legal consequences, as the international legal framework is designed to prevent individuals from simply disappearing across borders to escape prosecution.
The Broader Implications: Philanthropy, Protection, and Public Perception
Wicknell Chivayo’s “philanthropic” activities in Zimbabwe have often been viewed through a lens of public relations, with his generous donations and gifts frequently showcased on social media. These acts of benevolence, while seemingly positive, have also been scrutinised as a potential means to cultivate public favour and political goodwill, thereby creating a shield against legal challenges. The timing of the arrest warrants for his “dear little brother” and the subsequent flight from justice could significantly impact this carefully constructed image.
The narrative of a “hidden conspiracy” involving high-ranking officials who benefit from Chivayo’s largesse is not new. Critics have long pointed to the perceived impunity enjoyed by certain individuals connected to the political elite, suggesting that their “donations” and public support are reciprocated with protection from legal accountability. The R15 million gold case, even if Wicknell Chivayo is not directly implicated, casts a shadow over these relationships and intensifies calls for greater transparency and accountability within Zimbabwe’s business and political spheres.
The Hawks’ pursuit of Joachim Chivayo and Ayanda Brian Gungwa underscores a broader commitment to tackling organised crime and illicit financial flows in the region. The case serves as a stark reminder that while individuals may attempt to leverage connections or exploit jurisdictional differences, the reach of international law and cooperation is steadily expanding. The outcome of this case, particularly regarding the potential extradition and prosecution of the wanted individuals, will be closely watched as a test of justice and accountability in Southern Africa.
As the investigation unfolds, the public remains keen to understand how a figure like Wicknell Chivayo, without a clearly defined source of multi-million-dollar income, continues to fund such a lavish lifestyle. The R15 million gold secret, now exposed, may yet unravel further layers of a complex network, revealing the true foundations upon which some glittering worlds are built.
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