A posthumous controversy has erupted around the estate of the late Zimbabwean flamboyant businessman Wicknell Chivayo, specifically concerning a KSh 32 million Range Rover he reportedly gifted to prominent lawyer Lewis Uriri. Documents indicate that the luxury vehicle was cleared through Zimbabwean customs using a cancelled copy of Uriri’s passport, raising significant legal questions.
Advocate Thabani Mpofu has highlighted that the importation papers ‘tell a lie about their own contents,’ suggesting potential criminal misconduct. Adding to the complexity, Uriri had reportedly already declined both the vehicle and a separate KSh 2.7 million cash gift before the irregularities surrounding the paperwork came to light.
Key Players Involved
- Wicknell Chivayo: Late Zimbabwean tycoon whose estate is at the center of the controversy.
- Lewis Uriri: Prominent Zimbabwean lawyer who was the intended recipient of the Range Rover.
- Advocate Thabani Mpofu: Legal expert who raised concerns about the legality of the import documentation.
- Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA): Body through which the vehicle was cleared, with import duty of US$74,460.57 collected in Uriri’s name.
Event Timeline
- September 21, 2026: Chivayo publicly announced the gift via a Facebook post.
- September 30, 2026: Chivayo died in a helicopter crash.
- October 23, 2026: A custom-built Rolls-Royce Phantom, also ordered by Chivayo, arrived in Harare, 15 days after his burial, highlighting ongoing estate matters.
- October 26, 2026: Questions emerge regarding the Range Rover gift to Lewis Uriri and the use of a cancelled passport for customs clearance.
