Chiyangwa Moves to Mend Relationship With Chivayo

Property tycoon Philip Chiyangwa has moved to repair his relationship with businessman Wicknell Chivayo, issuing an open letter seeking to distance himself from the bitter fallout between Chivayo and his former business associates Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu.

Chiyangwa’s intervention follows comments by Chivayo during an appearance on The Denny Show, where the businessman accused the veteran property developer of taking Chimombe’s side during their highly publicised dispute. Chivayo said the fallout was particularly painful because he had regarded Chiyangwa as someone he “genuinely loved” and respected.

“After my feud and my fight with the Mike Chimombes he kind of like took a side. He was close to Mike Chimombe,” Chivayo said.

He recalled seeing Chiyangwa with Chimombe at ZANU PF headquarters and said he believed the veteran businessman should have remained neutral. Chivayo also accused Chiyangwa of recording videos supporting efforts to recover money allegedly owed by Chivayo. He said the dispute strained their relationship and described the circulation of leaked voice notes as one of the worst periods of his life, particularly because he believed the recordings could damage his relationship with President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Chiyangwa explains Chimombe meeting

In his open letter, Chiyangwa rejected the suggestion that he had turned against Chivayo, saying his involvement with Chimombe was prompted by senior government officials.

“I wish to make it abundantly clear that at no point have I regarded you as an enemy,” Chiyangwa wrote.

“On the contrary, I have always held you in high esteem and remain deeply grateful for the support and assistance you have rendered over the years.”

Chiyangwa said two senior government ministers had approached him and asked him to intervene after Chimombe’s public allegations against Chivayo attracted significant attention.

“Their concern was that the continued public allegations and commentary being made against you were causing considerable embarrassment and attracting widespread public attention,” he wrote.

He said he was asked to engage Chimombe and encourage him to withdraw the allegations and public statements. Chiyangwa also addressed Chivayo’s recollection of seeing a vehicle associated with him outside ZANU PF headquarters while he was with Chimombe. He said the encounter was incidental and unrelated to any attempt to target Chivayo.

Bid to restore ties

Chiyangwa said he regretted that the events had created an impression that he was hostile towards Chivayo.

“It is unfortunate when historical events are revisited without the full context being presented, as this can create the impression of hostility where none exists,” he wrote.

He also praised Chivayo for his past support of ZIFA, recalling assistance provided when Chivayo was president of the football association.

“In particular, I continue to appreciate the role you played when assistance was needed by ZIFA,” Chiyangwa wrote.

Chimombe and Mpofu's dispute with Chivayo centred on money they claimed was owed to them from a business arrangement. The fallout later escalated into a major legal case after the pair were convicted of fraud linked to a US$7 million government tender obtained using fraudulent documents.

Chiyangwa ended his letter by appealing for the relationship to return to normal.

“My hope is that this clarification will assist in setting the record straight, dispelling any misunderstandings, and reaffirming my respect, appreciation, and goodwill towards you,” he wrote.

He said he wanted their relationship to remain “normal, cordial and constructive”, while expressing gratitude for Chivayo’s friendship and support. The exchange has brought renewed attention to the relationships between some of Zimbabwe’s most prominent business figures and their intersections with football, politics and high-profile commercial disputes.

Philip Chiyangwa and Wicknell Chivayo