Ntsiki Mazwai Reacts to Wicknell Chivayo's Rolls-Royce and Wife's Mercedes-Benz Caskets

• Ntsiki Mazwai weighed in on the lavish send-off for Zimbabwean tender tycoon Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy Muteke
• Chivayo's Rolls-Royce-inspired coffin, marked WMC 777 and draped in the Zimbabwean flag, drew widespread attention after he was declared a provincial hero
• Mzansi and Zimbabweans online were divided over the extravagant funeral display, with many questioning the priorities of the wealthy

South African poet and activist Ntsiki Mazwai had a sharp reaction after images of Zimbabwean tender tycoon Wicknell Chivayo's Rolls-Royce-inspired coffin and his wife Lucy Muteke's Mercedes-Benz casket circulated widely on social media.

Mazwai took to X on Wednesday, 7 October 2026, posting simply:

"Black people are not well, Yazi."

This was in response to the images that had set timelines ablaze. Her post was a direct reaction to a ZimLive report confirming the opulent funeral arrangements for the couple.

See the post below:

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Wicknell Chivayo and Wife Lucy Muteke’s Burial to Be Open to the Public

Who were Wicknell Chivayo and Lucy Muteke?

Chivayo was a high-profile Zimbabwean businessman known for his controversial government tender dealings and his taste for extreme luxury. He was declared a provincial hero following his death, an honour that entitled him to a flag-draped send-off. His coffin, marked "WMC 777" and wrapped in the Zimbabwean national flag, was a custom Rolls-Royce-inspired creation. His wife Lucy Muteke's casket bore the iconic Mercedes-Benz logo, with funeral parlour Doves handling the arrangements. The bodies of the couple lay in state at their Gletwin home overnight before the burial at Glen Forest on Thursday, 8 October 2026.

Peeps react to the lavish coffins

The images, which were broadcast on ZBC News, triggered strong reactions from people across Southern Africa. Many questioned the morality of such extravagance in a country still grappling with poverty and crumbling infrastructure.

@munyaradzimete wrote:

Read also

Zimbabwe's Mnangagwa Grants Wicknell Chivayo Provincial Hero Status After Fatal Helicopter Crash

"A country with more Rolls Royces than ambulances, dialysis machines and cancer screening machines. Driving million-dollar cars in a street without streetlights, full of potholes, and yet we go to the IMF with a begging bowl."

@That_TT_ added:

"Not at all! But I guess in this context it is a reflection of the very same disgusting crass materialism lived by the departed!"

@Mtha17776Ndlovu said bluntly:

"They don't even know what to do with looted funds."

@DecolonialGogo admitted:

"I thought it was Photoshop."

@Mafitsho simply asked:

"Guess what's in there?"

@TsedemuNoel echoed Ntsiki's sentiment:

"You can say it again."

Wicknell Chivayo and wife’s final resting place revealed

Meanwhile, Briefly News reported that a ZTN Prime news report revealed the burial site prepared for Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy, at Glen Forest Memorial Park in Harare.

The burial space is large enough to fit 10 additional graves, hinting at possible mausoleum plans for the late tenderpreneur.

Source: Briefly News