MBABANE – Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo, who recently announced that he had been granted Eswatini citizenship and a diplomatic passport by His Majesty King Mswati III, has pledged more than US$2 million in luxury vehicles and cash gifts to leaders of his church ahead of its annual conference in August.
In a social media post published on Friday, Chivayo said he was recognising the contributions of leaders within the Johanne Masowe Chishanu Apostolic Church, whom he credited for their dedication to the spiritual growth of the congregation.
The businessman revealed that three senior church leaders would each receive a brand-new 2026 Lexus LX500D valued at US$250 000, along with US$50 000 for fuel and upkeep.
The beneficiaries were identified as Baba Lawrence Katsiru of the Marondera Branch, Baba Gibson of the Chinhevere/Chiweshe Branch and Baba Israel of the Coca-Cola Branch.
In addition, Chivayo announced that 12 other church leaders from various branches across Zimbabwe would each receive a new 2026 Toyota Fortuner valued at US$78 000, together with US$10 000 in cash for fuel expenses.
The combined value of the vehicles alone exceeds US$1.68 million, while the additional cash allocations amount to US$270 000, bringing the total package to nearly US$2 million.
Chivayo described the expenditure as “US$2 million well spent”, saying it was intended to honour church leaders who had sacrificed their time, resources and personal comfort in service of the church.
“These are men who have sacrificed their comfort, their time and in most instances, their personal resources in service to the church,” he wrote.
He further stated that church leaders had played a critical role in preserving and advancing the teachings of the church’s founder, Baba Johane, while providing spiritual guidance to thousands of followers.
The announcement comes a day after Chivayo disclosed details of a visit to Eswatini, where he said he was received by King Mswati III at the Royal Palace.
In that post, Chivayo claimed that the King had instructed his administration to grant him Eswatini citizenship and provide him with a diplomatic passport to facilitate travel and business activities in the kingdom.
He also pledged to mobilise investment and funding for infrastructure and renewable energy projects in Eswatini through his companies and strategic partners.
According to Chivayo, discussions with the monarch focused on investment opportunities, industrialisation, energy security, infrastructure development and youth empowerment.
The businessman said he was impressed by Eswatini’s development ambitions and believed the country offered significant opportunities for large-scale investment, particularly in the renewable energy sector.
His latest announcement, however, shifted attention from investment and business to philanthropy and religious affairs, with Chivayo maintaining that recognising dedicated church leaders was consistent with the values of faith and service promoted by the church.
The annual Johanne Masowe Chishanu gathering, commonly referred to as the Musangano Wegore, is expected to attract thousands of congregants from across the region when it convenes in August.
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