Mahere, Chivayo clash over car gift to 'another man's wife'

Opposition politician and constitutional lawyer Fadzayi Mahere and businessman Wicknell Chivayo have clashed on social media after Mahere questioned the cultural appropriateness of his high-value car gifts to married women.

The latest dispute erupted after Chivayo announced on September 6 that he had bought a brand-new 2026 Rolls-Royce Ghost facelift for Bebe Angel, the wife of United Kingdom-based Prophet Uebert Angel.

The luxury vehicle was reported to be worth between US$650,000 and US$750,000 after import duties. Chivayo also announced a US$250,000 cash gift to Uebert Angel.

In his announcement, Chivayo described Bebe Angel as a mother figure and pillar of strength who was loved and appreciated by millions.

Mahere responded by questioning why a man would buy another man's wife such an expensive vehicle.

She questioned whether the gesture was consistent with hunhu, a Shona ethical concept broadly associated with humanity, decency and proper relationships.

Mahere ended her post with her now familiar call: "We need new leaders."

Her post attracted more than a quarter of a million views and hundreds of responses, with social media users divided between those who supported her questions and others who felt she was reading too much into an act of generosity.

Chivayo responded the following day, directly addressing Mahere and suggesting that, because she had never been a wife, she would not understand or appreciate such gestures.

Mahere hit back in Shona, saying she had no personal relationship with Chivayo and telling him to leave ordinary married women out of the dispute. She again concluded her response with: "We need new leaders."

Some social media users criticised Chivayo's response, arguing that his reference to Mahere's marital status avoided the substantive question surrounding the expensive gift.

The latest exchange is not the first time Mahere has publicly questioned Chivayo's activities.

She has previously raised questions over a US$100,000 cash bonus reportedly paid outside the formal banking system, his participation in official presidential delegations and his ambulance donations.

Mahere has also questioned whether the ambulance donations should be viewed as philanthropy or considered against money Chivayo's company has allegedly been required to pay in connection with the Gwanda Solar Project.

Chivayo has previously accused Mahere of pursuing a personal vendetta against him and dismissed her as a "clout chaser."

The businessman has developed a reputation for giving expensive vehicles and other gifts to the wives of prominent figures he publicly celebrates.

Past recipients have included Rufaro Chiworeso Mukombe, wife of musician Jah Prayzah; Daisy Mtukudzi, widow of the late Oliver Mtukudzi; Mambo Dhuterere's wife; Prophet Ian Ndlovu's wife; and Prophetess Ruth Makandiwa, wife of United Family International Church founder Emmanuel Makandiwa.

In several cases, the gifts have been made to both spouses rather than the woman alone.

The Makandiwas received several luxury vehicles in August 2026, including a Mercedes-AMG G-Wagon for Ruth, a Rolls-Royce Cullinan for Emmanuel and a Mercedes-Maybach presented to the couple as an anniversary gift.

The latest dispute has reignited debate over Chivayo's highly publicised philanthropy, with supporters viewing his gifts as generous gestures that recognise women and their contributions to families, while critics question the propriety of the gifts, the source of the funds and whether the displays amount to philanthropy or public-relations exercises.

Mahere's criticism has also brought the broader issue of hunhu into the debate, particularly around boundaries and social expectations when wealthy men make extravagant gifts to married women.