Sithembinkosi L. Jiyane
Business Reporter
The elite class in Zimbabwe, particularly those linked to the first family, is once again under fire for its extravagant and questionable spending habits. Two recent controversies—Floyd Mayweather’s costly 2023 visit and businessman Wicknell Chivayo’s latest alleged multi-million-dollar medical deal—have reignited public anger over the government’s misplaced priorities amid a deepening economic crisis.
Mayweather’s $1 Million “Motherland Tour”: Empty Promises?
In July 2023, just a month before Zimbabwe’s harmonized elections, American boxing legend Floyd Mayweather visited the country in a trip reportedly bankrolled to the tune of US$1 million by Pedzisayi “Scott” Sakupwanya, a gold dealer and ruling party politician. The visit was marketed as a boost for tourism and sports development.
Mayweather’s “Motherland Tour” included an open workout session, exhibition matches featuring local boxers, and a high-profile meeting with President Emmerson Mnangagwa. At the time, the retired champion pledged to build schools and hospitals in Zimbabwe.
Two years later, there is no evidence of these promises being fulfilled.
The visit has since been dismissed as a costly publicity stunt, with critics arguing that the funds could have been better spent on tangible sports development. Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter Themba Gorimbo recently took to social media to express his frustration, stating:
“Floyd’s $1 million Motherland Tour benefited nobody in Zimbabwe. Selfies were taken, but selfies for $1 million? That money could have built gyms, hired trainers, and developed future boxing and MMA stars. Hate me or love me—I’m saying the truth.”
Gorimbo’s remarks reflect widespread discontent over the government’s exorbitant spending on vanity projects while youth sports programs remain underfunded.
Chivayo’s Controversial Deals and Lavish Gifts
Meanwhile, controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo, a known ally of the ruling party, continues to make headlines for his questionable business dealings and opulent spending.
In 2019, Chivayo was embroiled in a $5 million scandal involving the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), where he allegedly received payment for a solar project that was never completed. Though he denied wrongdoing, the case raised serious concerns about cronyism and corruption in state contracts.
Recently, Chivayo has been splurging on luxury cars for ruling party supporters and social media influencers. Now, his company, TTM Global Medical Exports, is at the center of another storm over a purported $400 million deal to supply medical drugs and cancer treatment equipment to the government.
Critics allege the deal is yet another shady transaction benefiting politically connected elites. Chivayo has dismissed the contract as “fake,” but skepticism remains high given his history.
Public Outcry and Calls for Accountability
These controversies have sparked fierce debate about government transparency and accountability. Many Zimbabweans are demanding:
- An end to frivolous spending on celebrity visits with no tangible benefits.
- Investigations into dubious tenders awarded to ruling party allies.
- Redirected funding towards healthcare, education, and youth empowerment.
As Zimbabwe grapples with hyperinflation, unemployment, and crumbling public services, the elite’s lavish expenditures stand in stark contrast to the struggles of ordinary citizens.
Conclusion: A Nation Watching
With elections looming and public patience wearing thin, the Mnangagwa administration faces mounting pressure to curb elite excesses and prioritize real economic recovery. Until then, the disconnect between the ruling class and the suffering masses only grows wider.
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