Chivayo Fires Back at Mliswa Over CAB3 ‘Bribery’ Claims, Reveals Alleged US$107,000 Vehicle Gift

HARARE – Businessman Wicknell Chivayo has launched a fierce counterattack against former Norton MP Temba Mliswa after Mliswa accused him of undermining the integrity of the Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3) process through lavish gifts to legislators who support the proposed changes. The public spat follows Chivayo's recent decision to gift CCC proportional representation MP Samantha Mureyani a 2026 Toyota Fortuner and US$50,000 after she publicly endorsed CAB3.

In a lengthy Facebook post, Chivayo dismissed Mliswa's criticism, arguing that the former legislator had no authority to dictate how he spends his money.

“You have no basis to give me a lengthy lecture on what I should or should not do with my money. I am a mere philanthropist, and I love helping and recognising people that I think deserve my recognition,” Chivayo wrote.

He accused Mliswa of seeking relevance through public attacks, saying his political influence had waned.

“Your abrasive and condescending comments are clearly out of desperation to remain relevant, given your long vanished political status,” he said.

Mliswa had argued that the gifts amounted to unnecessary inducements because ZANU-PF already possesses enough parliamentary votes to pass CAB3 without opposition support. Chivayo agreed that the governing party has sufficient numbers but said that the fact actually undermines allegations of bribery.

“You are correct that ZANU PF possesses more than sufficient numbers to pass CAB3,” he wrote. “If I get impressed by an MP's unapologetic support for CAB3 and President Emmerson Mnangagwa, and personally choose to reward him or her, where is the problem?

“How does that become bribery as you allege, if the MP is already openly in support of CAB3 and rewarded after?”

Chivayo maintained that he is not involved in crafting or promoting the constitutional amendment.

“I am not the architect behind CAB3. I am not a politician, and I have absolutely no aspirations of becoming one. I am an ordinary card-carrying member of ZANU PF who supports the party and its leadership.”

The businessman said his acts of generosity are voluntary and based on personal discretion.

According to Chivayo, several prominent individuals have previously declined gifts he offered without facing any repercussions. He cited figures including Eunor Guti, Nqobile Magwizi, and Emmanuel Makandiwa among those who allegedly turned down offers.

“Philanthropy is voluntary. Anoda anotambira murudo rwa Mwari, asingadi anoramba hake, and I move on to the next,” he wrote.

Chivayo's response moved beyond the CAB3 debate and included sharp criticism of Mliswa's political and business record. He accused Mliswa of mismanaging businesses and agricultural assets that had previously been successful.

“You were rejected by your own constituencies in Hurungwe and Norton. You are nothing more than a pale image of your former self,” Chivayo wrote.

He further claimed that companies and farming operations associated with Mliswa had declined under his stewardship.

Perhaps the most explosive claim in Chivayo's response was his assertion that he had personally purchased a vehicle for Mliswa.

“I am actually surprised that you now appear to take a strong position against accepting my gratuity, yet recently you graciously accepted the Ford Raptor I paid cash USD107,000 for, which I bought you,” Chivayo alleged.

He claimed the vehicle was given as recognition for Mliswa's parliamentary contributions and suggested the former MP's criticism was inconsistent with having accepted the gift. The allegation has added a new dimension to an already heated public dispute over political gifts, philanthropy, and the integrity of Zimbabwe's constitutional reform process.

The controversy comes amid growing national debate over Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3, which has attracted support and opposition from politicians, legal experts, churches, civil society groups, and war veterans. Critics argue that the proposed amendments could fundamentally alter Zimbabwe's constitutional framework, while supporters maintain the changes are necessary for governance reforms. As the debate intensifies, the public exchange between Chivayo and Mliswa has further drawn attention to questions surrounding political influence, gifts to public officials, and the broader legitimacy of the CAB3 process.

Wicknell Chivayo CAB3 response