UFC Fighter Themba Gorimbo Sparks Debate After Refusing to Mourn Wicknell Chivayo’s Death

• UFC fighter Themba Gorimbo posted a controversial Facebook video reacting to the death of Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo
• Gorimbo pointed to the state of Zimbabwe's hospitals and Chivayo's alleged political ties as the basis for his remarks
• The video drew hundreds of responses, with Zimbabweans and other Africans sharply divided over whether Gorimbo's reaction crossed a line

SOUTH AFRICA — UFC fighter Themba Gorimbo sparked widespread debate online after posting a Facebook video on 3 October 2026 in which he refused to express sympathy for the late Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo, who died on 30 September.

In the video, Gorimbo questioned why a man who reportedly spent $4.3 million on a single watch during visits to a luxury retailer had done so little for ordinary Zimbabweans. He pointed to the deteriorating state of the country's public hospitals and roads as evidence that Chivayo's wealth had not translated into meaningful support for the people.

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"Look at the state of the hospitals. How many Zimbabweans have died? And you say, oh, I feel sorry for him because he died," Gorimbo said in the clip.

Gorimbo also alleged that Chivayo functioned as a political instrument. He suggested that his high-profile gifts to celebrities, church leaders and public figures were designed to build goodwill for ZANU-PF and secure votes for the ruling party.

He further claimed that he personally turned down a gift from Chivayo, without elaborating on the offer.

He also commented on the speed with which a luxury watch retailer reportedly deleted photos of Chivayo from their social media following his death. He said it illustrated that the relationship had been purely transactional.

Gorimbo's remarks draw mixed reaction

Crime Watch ZW also shared the video on X, and it attracted many views. Responses were sharply divided between those who agreed with his position and those who felt he had gone too far.

Several commenters argued that Chivayo's wealth was his own to spend as he chose, and questioned what Gorimbo himself had done for Zimbabwe.

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@PrudieWay wrote:

"Gorimbo also has money, what has he done to help the community. Stop telling people how to use their money."

@Batsitsi1 echoed the point:

"It was his money he does own hospitals in Zim, what have you done to hospitals yourself?"

Others pushed back on that framing. @ZvauyaZva alleged:

"Stop saying it was his money. These were state funds siphoned through inflated tenders. We are not idiots."

@FidzaPhil added:

"He cared less about citizens — he was an arrogant political tool."

On Facebook, commenters urged Gorimbo to consider Chivayo's family, with one user, Slim Jacobs, writing:

"His children will one day read and hear everything said about their father. Let us not add to their pain."

Gorimbo captioned his original Facebook post with the question:

"Am I wrong? If I say: 'May his soul burn in hell'? Does that make me inhuman?"

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The backlash shows that Chivayo’s death has reopened difficult questions about wealth, philanthropy, politics and public services in Zimbabwe and in Africa.

Gorimbo has focused on the apparent gap between extravagant private spending and the struggles faced by ordinary Zimbabweans. His critics, however, argue that Chivayo’s death is not the appropriate moment to settle those arguments.

The debate is unlikely to end with Gorimbo’s post. Chivayo’s public profile was already polarising, and his death has brought those competing views into sharper focus.

For now, Gorimbo has made his position clear — and the reaction shows that many Zimbabweans have strong views on both sides of the argument.

Highlanders faces a major financial question after Chivayo's death

Briefly News previously reported that Wicknell Chivayo’s death left Zimbabwean football club Highlanders FC facing a major financial challenge after years of substantial support from the businessman.

Chivayo had reportedly provided Highlanders with more than US$2 million (about R33.4 million) over two years, including a US$250,000 (about R4.2 million) payment made on the day of his death.

Source: Briefly News