By Mutsa Connie Homera
Businessman and socialite Wicknell Chivayo has sold a Toyota Fortuner GD6 to Zimpapers journalist Pathisani Sibanda for US$100 whom he gave the car during an interview on Capitalk FM last week.
Sir Wicknell broke the silence following the controversy surrounding the gifts and cash donations he handed over to staff members at Capitalk FM.
It also came out that Pathisani was forced to resign if he would take the gift or he return it.
However, Chivayo expressed shock over the public reaction and social media debate that erupted after reports surfaced that the employees were supposed to return the cash under the Gift Policy of the company.
The employees were only allowed to take US$100 each.
However, Chivayo, expressed that the gesture was purely an act of appreciation following what he described as a “wonderful time” during his interview at Capitalk FM.
He revealed that before offering any gifts, he first sought approval from the station’s General Manager, Comfort Mbofana.
“After the interview, and purely out of appreciation for the hospitality and professionalism shown to me, I asked the General Manager Mr. Comfort Mbofana whether I was permitted to give the workers some money for lunch, to which he responded, ‘Yes with pleasure,’” Chivayo said.
He further claimed that after being informed that 30 employees were on duty during that shift, he offered US$1,000 per employee. Chivayo added that the station manager personally accompanied him to his vehicle and allegedly received the money on behalf of the workers.
The businessman also addressed the now-viral vehicle gifts involving radio personality DJ Phathisani Sibanda and another female employee.
According to Chivayo, he had requested permission to purchase a Toyota Fortuner GD6 for Sibanda and a Toyota Aqua for the female employee, and the request was approved without hesitation.
However, the situation later took a dramatic turn after reports emerged suggesting that company policy prohibited employees from accepting gifts.
Responding to the controversy, Chivayo sarcastically suggested that the two employees could simply “buy” the vehicles themselves at symbolic prices.
“If indeed what is being said is the policy of the radio station, I am pleased to advise that Madzibaba Chipaga of Enterprise Car Sales is apparently selling a brand new Toyota Fortuner 2.4D GD6 for only US$100 and a Toyota Aqua for only US$50,” he wrote.
He further joked that there was “no law” preventing someone from selling their property at any price of their choice, adding that the offer applied specifically to the two employees involved.
In perhaps the most controversial part of the statement, Chivayo claimed that the remaining US$27,000 which he said could no longer be distributed to staff members would now be collected by his lawyer from the station’s management.
Chivayo concluded by defending his actions as patriotic and rooted in appreciation for hardworking Zimbabweans.
“May we never reach a stage where expressing gratitude to hardworking Zimbabweans is treated as if it is a crime,” he wrote.
“Rather, let us encourage supporting and appreciating those who dedicate their lives towards serving our nation with professionalism and patriotism.”
The statement has since sparked intense reactions online, with Zimbabweans divided between praising Chivayo’s generosity and questioning the ethics of public officials and employees receiving expensive gifts.
