By Farai Maguwu
One speech that stood out at Wicknell Chivayo’s funeral was by his younger brother, Joachim, popularly known as G6.
G6 spoke glowingly of his departed brother. But in the middle of his speech, he also gave the human, not-so-saintly side of Sir Wicknell, something we normally try to erase in moments of grief.
Unknowingly, or rather unintentionally, Joachim lifted the lid on the infamous Gwanda solar tender and on how his brother squandered the USD 5 million on shoes, clothes, and travel.
The real intention was not to portray Sir Wicknell as a criminal. Far from it. Instead, he wanted to give a narration of Chivayo’s “humble beginning” and locate his own place in his brother’s unbelievable rags-to-riches story. It was a story of a ruthless and daring risk-taker who stepped on others, including siblings, to get what he wanted and abandon them thereafter. Perhaps Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu would nod in agreement if they were given leave of absence from prison to bury their estranged business associate.
Those who can read body language can see that Joachim changed his tone when he revealed these shocking details of how the $5 million was used. He had mixed emotions. On one hand, he felt compelled to tell a story as an insider in Chivayo’s empire. On the other hand, he beamed a smile, indicating he wasn’t bitter, but just wanted the mourners to understand Sir Wicknell better – that when it came to money, the guy was as cunning as a fox. After getting what he wanted – $220,000 from Joachim- he stopped taking his calls until Joachim confronted him.
What Joachim did is the modern way of conducting funerals in Zimbabwe. The wafa wanaka era is gone. People now use funerals both to grieve and truthfully reflect on the legacy of the departed – both good and bad. But as expected, criminals were incensed with rage that Joachim told Zimbabweans where the missing $5 million went. The false prophets who received Chivayo’s gifts are equally angry that the TRUTH about their benefactor has been revealed by an authentic source.
Those beneficiaries who said that if Sir Wicknell was a criminal, then report him to the police have been put in their place. Just like underground water building up pressure until it breaks through the soil as a spring, truth will also find a way to make itself known. Please do not be angry at Joachim. This is a season when God is fixing our country through supernatural ways. Joachim did his part. Now it is the time for ZRP and ZACC to do theirs.
