“Feels Like We’re Watching a Movie”: Wicknell Chivayo Allegedly Owed R18m for His Harare Mansion

• Late tycoon Wicknell Chivayo allegedly failed to fully pay for his lavish Gletwyn mansion before his fatal helicopter crash
• Reports claim Chivayo paid R23.3 million ($1.4 million) in cash, leaving an outstanding balance of R18.3 million ($1.1 million) allegedly tied to unquantified "political services"
• Former police commissioner Augustine Chihuri allegedly still holds the legal rights to the luxury Harare property as title transfer requirements remain incomplete

Late Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo allegedly died without fully settling the payment for his luxury mansion in Harare's affluent Gletwyn suburb. The extravagant socialite tragically passed away alongside his wife, Lucy Muteke, her personal assistant, and two pilots in a helicopter crash near Marondera on Wednesday, 30 September 2026.

According to details shared by investigative outlet @NewsHawksLive on X on 5 October 2026, an inquiry revealed that Chivayo had allegedly only completed a partial cash payment for the high-end residence previously owned by former police commissioner Augustine Chihuri.

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Unsettled balance and dispute over valuation

The Gletwyn property was reportedly priced at R41.6 million ($2.5 million) during the initial transaction in May 2024. However, sources allege Chivayo paid R23.3 million ($1.4 million) in cash, leaving an outstanding sum of R18.3 million ($1.1 million).

The remaining balance was allegedly supposed to be cleared through "political services" to help resolve long-standing political tensions involving Chihuri.

"The house in Gletwyn was valued at US$2.5 million [R41.6 million], but Chivayo only paid US$1.4 million [R23.3 million] and the balance was to be settled through 'services', which are very difficult to quantify and value in monetary terms, particularly when the buyer is now deceased," an insider claimed.

Property valuation discrepancy holds up legal ownership

Further complicating the transaction, Zimbabwean authorities later valued the mansion at approximately R116.5 million ($7 million), creating a massive R74.9 million ($4.5 million) discrepancy. Under Zimbabwean property law, legal ownership requires full financial settlement, tax clearances, and formal registration at the Deeds Registry Office, meaning Chihuri allegedly still retains legal possession of the mansion's keys.

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See the mansion in the video on X below:

Social media users react to mansion revelations

The revelations surrounding Chivayo's unpaid property deal sparked intense debate across social media platforms:

@peelameck added:

"He was targeting the state house, not this suburban mansion. With all the money he wasted, he could have bought a lot of these, but targeting was a state power grab."

@AllanVirimai shared:

"This house must be confiscated by the state. It was purchased through proceeds of crime, both by Chihuri and Chivayo."

@Luca12773 pointed out the history:

"This house was owned by a retired police commissioner in Zimbabwe."

@NkunziW commented:

"A piano he never played."

@Future_Sim wrote:

"Africa is wild; a police officer owning such a house?"

@RueMaras said:

"Feels like we’re watching a movie unfold."

More stories about the late Wicknell Chivayo

• Late Zimbabwean businessman Sir Wicknell Chivayo’s best friend, Tazvi Mhaka, broke his silence following the tycoon's death, paying tribute to him as an "African Giant" who changed lives.
• A travel photo featuring the late Wicknell Chivayo's ex-wife and their two young children in first class prompted an outpouring of heartfelt sympathy online, as viewers rallied to offer their deepest condolences for the kids.
• An old video of Wicknell Chivayo's late wife, Lulu, praying in a private jet and showing off her designer footwear deeply moved social media users following the couple's tragic passing.

Source: Briefly News