An audio recording purportedly sent by the late Zimbabwean tenderpreneur Wicknell Chivayo to self-styled prophet David Gozho, popularly known as Madzibaba David, has gone viral following Chivayo's death in a helicopter crash near Marondera last Wednesday. In the recording, whose authenticity has been established, Chivayo's voice is heard thanking Madzibaba David for providing him with lucky charms, which he claimed had helped him curry favour with President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The recording, shared by Zimlive, sparked widespread discussion on social media in the days after the businessman's death. Chivayo can be heard in the audio enquiring about Madzibaba David's availability to conduct what he described as one final ritual at Lake Kariba. The planned ceremony reportedly involved lowering a clay pot filled with ritual objects into the depths of the lake.
Chivayo also allegedly promised the Johane Masowe eChishanu preacher a vehicle once his business dealings began paying off. He is said to have later made good on that promise, delivering a brand new Toyota Fortuner and a bus to the prophet. This revelation has raised questions about the nature of their relationship and the extent of Chivayo's involvement with Madzibaba David.
Madzibaba David, accused of being the source behind the audio's circulation, was arrested in Goromonzi on Sunday. Law enforcement sources said he faces charges of armed robbery, linked to a case in which an EcoCash agent lost USD 12,000. Gozho is expected to appear before a regional court in Marondera on Monday.
The circumstances of Gozho's arrest drew immediate scrutiny given his known association with Chivayo, a figure who had deep ties to Zimbabwe's political and business elite. Observers have noted that the timing of the arrest will inevitably invite questions about whether it is connected to his dealings with the late businessman.
In other news, the Zimbabwean business tycoon and his wife Lucy Muteke will be buried without their heads after the remains could not be recovered from the site of their fatal helicopter crash, family spokesman Herbert Chivayo announced on Sunday, October 4. The couple died on Wednesday, September 30, when their helicopter went down in misty conditions at Kudenga Farm in Marondera.
The helicopter's wreckage caught fire after it came down, with the bodies believed to have been exposed to jet fuel before burning. Forensic officials had initially examined certain recovered remains, suspecting they could be parts of the victims' heads, but subsequent analysis ruled this out.
Key points
- Wicknell Chivayo's alleged audio recording reveals his plans to perform rituals at Lake Kariba to get rich.
- Madzibaba David, accused of leaking the audio, was arrested in Goromonzi on Sunday on armed robbery charges.
- Wicknell Chivayo and his wife will be buried without their heads due to the severe damage caused by the helicopter crash.
