Days after thousands lined the streets of Harare to bid farewell to businessman Wicknell Chivayo, his sister Moe Madeline has gone public to correct what she says is a growing misconception about his family. Chivayo, who died on 30 September when his Bell 430 helicopter crashed at Kudenga Farm, was buried alongside his wife Lucy Muteke on 8 October at Sahwira Glenforest Memorial Park. The funeral drew government officials, business leaders and musicians, with a lavish procession of Rolls-Royces snaking through Kwame Nkrumah Avenue in a send-off befitting the man widely known as Sir Wicknell.
But the mourning period had barely ended before a fresh controversy surfaced on social media. A man known as GSIX, also referred to as G6, widely regarded as Chivayo's cousin, had been photographed at a presidential event alongside senior officials. His visibility reignited online debate about who exactly forms Chivayo's inner circle and who stands to inherit his estate. Those familiar with the late tycoon say the confusion stemmed from Chivayo himself, who treated his cousins as brothers, bringing them into the fold of his businesses and philanthropy network.
Posting from the account moemadeline1 on Instagram, Chivayo's sister delivered a pointed message: "Everyday pano pano hee Wicknell's brothers..Wicknell's brothers... taabhoo... he was the only son of Isaac Mathias Chivayo!" The timing was significant, as it came shortly after GSIX's appearance at the presidential event. Chivayo's sister aimed to set the record straight about her brother's family, amid claims that he had brothers.
In Zimbabwean culture, where the line between cousin and brother is frequently blurred, many people around him never questioned the distinction. However, Chivayo's sister is now trying to dismantle the brother narrative, which has significant implications for the inheritance of his estate. The question of who inherits Chivayo's estate is further complicated by the fact that Harare car dealers who supplied him with more than 300 luxury vehicles say millions remain unpaid following his death.
About two hours after her first statement, Chivayo's sister posted again, this time with a sharper edge. Alongside an image of Judas receiving a bag of coins, she wrote: "Just because they showed up doesn't mean they support you. Judas was present at all prayer meetings too." Many observers read the post as a veiled warning aimed at relatives and associates who appeared at State House and at the Gletwin residence during the mourning period, yet were conspicuously absent during Chivayo's prolonged legal battles.
GSIX has not publicly responded to either post. The controversy surrounding Chivayo's family and estate has sparked significant interest, with many people eager to know who will inherit his business empire. Chivayo's security team, comprising six South African bodyguards who travelled to Harare to attend his burial, also made headlines. One bodyguard shared a tender moment with Chivayo's young daughter, highlighting the close bond between the team and the late tycoon.
For now, Chivayo's sister's message leaves little room for interpretation. If Wicknell was the only son, the line of succession is narrow. If his cousins are accepted as brothers in the eyes of family and law, it widens considerably. The issue has both personal and financial stakes, with millions of dollars in unpaid debts and a business empire to be inherited.
Key points
- Wicknell Chivayo's sister clarifies that he had no brothers.
- The controversy surrounding Chivayo's family and estate has significant implications for the inheritance of his business empire.
- Chivayo's sister uses a Judas reference to warn relatives and associates who appeared at State House and Gletwin residence during the mourning period.
