Zimbabwe businessman’s SA mansion sparks concern

A Zimbabwean businessman, who is under investigation for alleged money laundering involving more than R800m, has apparently moved into his new home – a lavish R160m Atlantic Seaboard mansion. The move has raised the ire of SA's Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police chairperson Ian Cameron, who said the sale of SA properties to people implicated in criminal activity should raise some ‘serious red flags’. Wicknell Chivayo, a flamboyant businessman known as ‘Sir Wicknell’, took to social media to share details of his new home, saying it was ‘a cool R160m in total well spent’. News24 previously reported that Chivayo is under investigation by SA Financial Intelligence Centre over alleged money laundering of more than R800m linked to Zimbabwe’s 2023 elections. Last month, a SA court froze his assets – including a private jet – over a divorce settlement. His two cousins are also wanted by the Hawks for the illegal possession of gold bars. According to the Swaziland News, Chivayo was previously convicted of theft and money laundering in 2004. He has also allegedly faced fraud allegations over a failed US$5m solar power contract.

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