Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo's luxury car estate faces scrutiny

A custom-built Rolls-Royce Phantom, valued between $550,000 and $800,000, arrived in Harare on October 23, 2026, two weeks after the death of Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo. Chivayo and his wife died in a helicopter crash, leaving behind a luxury car collection that included several Rolls-Royce and Bentley models.

The businessman's estate is facing significant financial scrutiny following reports of substantial unpaid debts. Three Harare-based luxury car dealerships—Faramatsi Motors, Exquisite Cars, and Enterprise Car Sales—are reportedly owed a combined $5.1 million for vehicles supplied to Chivayo on credit. While some dealership owners have disputed specific debt figures or claimed balances were written off, the outstanding amounts remain a point of contention.

Controversy has also extended to Chivayo's high-profile philanthropy. Reports indicate that some individuals who received luxury vehicles or cash gifts from Chivayo have been contacted regarding unpaid balances. For instance, musician Taruvinga Manjokota, known as Sugar Sugar, was reportedly advised to return a gifted Toyota Fortuner because the vehicle had not been fully paid for.