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Chivayo withdraws MPs' US$3.6m pledge, redirects funds to Zanu-PF
2 hrs ago |
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Businessman Wicknell Chivayo has withdrawn his controversial US$3.6 million offer to Zimbabwe's 360 legislators following a backlash that exposed divisions within the ruling Zanu-PF.
He has instead increased the amount to US$5 million, saying the funds will now be channelled through the party's provincial structures.
In a statement posted on Facebook, Chivayo said he was retracting the initial pledge - which would have given each legislator US$10,000 - after concerns raised within the party, particularly by the Zanu-PF youth league.
"I therefore unreservedly retract my initial pledge directed towards Parliament," he said.
Under the revised plan, US$500,000 will be allocated to each of Zimbabwe's 10 provinces through provincial chairpersons, ostensibly to support grassroots development initiatives.
Chivayo insisted the original donation was made in good faith as an Independence gift and carried no political conditions, describing it as "purely developmental in nature." He said he had spent more than US$200 million on charitable causes across Zimbabwe and the continent over the past three years.
However, he acknowledged flaws in how the pledge was handled.
"As a political novice, I acknowledge that there are structures and protocols I ought to have observed. In hindsight, the channel through which the pledge was communicated was probably not the best," he said.
The initial offer drew sharp criticism from the Zanu-PF youth league, which argued it undermined the integrity of Parliament, particularly amid debate over Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3, a contentious proposal critics say could extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa's tenure beyond 2028.
Chivayo denied any link between his donation and the proposed constitutional changes, reiterating his support for Mnangagwa and the party's Vision 2030 agenda.
The revised pledge remains subject to consultation with what he described as "appropriate party structures," while critics argue the move may simply shift the controversy rather than resolve underlying concerns.
Chivayo also apologised to Parliament, the Speaker and the Zanu-PF youth league for any "discomfort or misunderstanding" caused.
He has instead increased the amount to US$5 million, saying the funds will now be channelled through the party's provincial structures.
In a statement posted on Facebook, Chivayo said he was retracting the initial pledge - which would have given each legislator US$10,000 - after concerns raised within the party, particularly by the Zanu-PF youth league.
"I therefore unreservedly retract my initial pledge directed towards Parliament," he said.
Under the revised plan, US$500,000 will be allocated to each of Zimbabwe's 10 provinces through provincial chairpersons, ostensibly to support grassroots development initiatives.
Chivayo insisted the original donation was made in good faith as an Independence gift and carried no political conditions, describing it as "purely developmental in nature." He said he had spent more than US$200 million on charitable causes across Zimbabwe and the continent over the past three years.
"As a political novice, I acknowledge that there are structures and protocols I ought to have observed. In hindsight, the channel through which the pledge was communicated was probably not the best," he said.
The initial offer drew sharp criticism from the Zanu-PF youth league, which argued it undermined the integrity of Parliament, particularly amid debate over Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3, a contentious proposal critics say could extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa's tenure beyond 2028.
Chivayo denied any link between his donation and the proposed constitutional changes, reiterating his support for Mnangagwa and the party's Vision 2030 agenda.
The revised pledge remains subject to consultation with what he described as "appropriate party structures," while critics argue the move may simply shift the controversy rather than resolve underlying concerns.
Chivayo also apologised to Parliament, the Speaker and the Zanu-PF youth league for any "discomfort or misunderstanding" caused.
Source - NewsDay
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