Zim GBC News | Harare Correspondent
Controversial businessman and ZANU PF supporter Sir Wicknell Chivayo has extended a flamboyant public invitation to exiled former Cabinet Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo to return to Zimbabwe, pledging to personally welcome him at the airport in a 2026 Rolls-Royce and facilitate the acquisition of a brand-new vehicle of his choice.
The extraordinary gesture came in response to Professor Moyo’s recent social media commentary on Zimbabwe’s constitutional history and the proposed amendments relating to presidential elections and term limits currently before Parliament.
In his post, Moyo provided historical context on how Zimbabwe transitioned to a directly elected Executive Presidency in 1990 through Constitutional Amendment No. 7, while also referencing electoral systems in other Southern African countries.
“Between 1980 and 1990 the head of the executive in Zimbabwe was not directly elected. The direct election of the President was first introduced in 1990 under Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment No.7 (Act 23 of 1987) which inaugurated the Executive Presidency,” Moyo wrote.
Chivayo Defends Constitutional Amendments
In his lengthy reply, Chivayo argued that the proposed constitutional changes should be viewed within the broader context of Zimbabwe’s evolving governance framework.
He maintained that constitutional refinement is a normal process in sovereign states and comparable to systems in countries such as South Africa, Botswana and the United Kingdom, where executive leadership is determined through parliamentary processes rather than direct popular vote.
The businessman praised Moyo as an experienced political strategist whose intellectual contributions have shaped national policy over the years, despite their past political differences.
The Offer: Rolls-Royce Welcome and New Car
However, it was Chivayo’s personal message to Professor Moyo that ignited social media and captured public attention across the nation.
In a dramatic shift from political commentary to personal invitation, Chivayo extended a gesture of reconciliation, stating that should Moyo decide to return home, he would personally collect him from the airport in his 2026 Rolls-Royce, chauffeur him safely home, and ensure he receives a brand-new vehicle of his choice the following day.
The offer represents one of the most public invitations extended to an exiled political figure since the controversial former Information Minister fled the country in 2017 following Operation Restore Legacy, commonly known as the military-assisted transition that removed the late former President Robert Mugabe from power.
Moyo’s Exile and Political Legacy
Professor Jonathan Moyo, who served as Information Minister during the Mugabe era and was a key architect of ZANU PF’s previous political strategies, has lived in exile since November 2017. He was a central figure in the G40 faction, which was purged from the ruling party during the transition that brought President Emmerson Mnangagwa to power.
Despite his exile, Moyo has remained an active commentator on Zimbabwean political affairs through social media, frequently offering analysis on constitutional matters, governance issues, and the shifting dynamics within ZANU PF.
Public Reaction
Chivayo’s invitation has drawn mixed reactions from Zimbabweans online, with some praising the gesture as a step toward national healing and reconciliation, while others view it as a publicity stunt by the businessman known for his extravagant displays of wealth and controversial business dealings.
Political analysts note that the invitation, if accepted, could signal a potential realignment of political forces as the ruling party navigates internal succession battles and pushes forward with its ambitious constitutional reform agenda.
Professor Moyo has not yet publicly responded to Chivayo’s offer.
As Zimbabwe enters a period of intense political realignment over the proposed constitutional amendments extending presidential terms and abolishing direct elections, the prospect of a key architect of previous administrations returning to the fold adds another layer of complexity to an already volatile political landscape.
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