HARARE – Flamboyant businessman Wicknell Chivayo has donated 10 state-of-the-art ambulances to Zimbabwe’s provincial hospitals, even as his estranged wife, Sonja Madzikanda, demands a $25 million payout and $40,000 monthly upkeep amid their ongoing divorce battle.
Speaking on the donation, Chivayo said,
“Following the successful delivery and distribution of 10 ambulances last year, I am pleased to announce an additional 10 state-of-the-art ambulances. This is a humbling contribution in support of the visionary leadership of His Excellency President Mnangagwa and the Government’s healthcare aspirations under Vision 2030.”
The donation also includes 200,000 litres of diesel to ensure the ambulances remain operational throughout the year. “A healthy nation is a wealthy nation,” Chivayo added, emphasizing the strategic deployment across Zimbabwe’s ten provinces under the Ministry of Health and Child Care.
President Mnangagwa personally praised the gesture, stating:
“This morning at State House, I had the distinct pleasure of receiving 10 brand new ambulances equipped with advanced medical technologies. This donation exemplifies the critical role of the private sector in complementing Government efforts and ensuring no one and no place is left behind.”
Meanwhile, in the courts, Madzikanda is pursuing extensive claims, seeking $25 million as a lump sum, $40,000 per month spousal maintenance, luxury vehicles including three Rolls Royces, and multiple properties. She argues the couple’s customary marriage entitles her to a share of Chivayo’s estate.
Chivayo’s lawyers strongly oppose the claims, arguing that the marriage was unregistered and legally dissolved by a gupuro payment. Lawyer Silvester Hashiti told the court:
“The defendant is not her meal-ticket for life. She voluntarily terminated the union and has no entitlement to such extortionate financial claims.”
The High Court’s Family Division is also addressing interim access to the couple’s two minor children. Chivayo maintains he should see the children on alternating weeks, during school holidays, birthdays, and public holidays. In his affidavit, he stressed,
“Lost birthdays, milestones, and daily interactions are irrecoverable… the prejudice is ongoing and cumulative.”
This story intertwines philanthropy, presidential recognition, and high-stakes family law, illustrating the complex intersections of wealth, governance, and personal life in Zimbabwe.
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