Zimbabwean businessman withdraws $3.6m pledge to Parliament after party criticism
Wicknell Chivayo retracted his offer to MPs following objections from the ruling party's youth wing.
Zimbabwean businessman withdraws $3.6m pledge to Parliament after party criticism
Wicknell Chivayo retracted his offer to MPs following objections from the ruling party's youth wing.
Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo has withdrawn a controversial pledge to donate US$3.6 million to the country's 360 Members of Parliament and Senators, announcing instead a revised US$5 million commitment to grassroots development projects.4
Chivayo had announced the donation would provide US$10,000 to each legislator for community development and completion of stalled projects.13 He said the initial offer had been made in good faith to support constituency development and mark Zimbabwe's independence, but acknowledged it may have overlooked "institutional sensitivities".4
The ZANU PF Youth League issued a statement urging Parliament to reject the donation, warning against any perception of undue influence over state institutions.2 "Parliament is the backbone of democracy... it cannot be seen as being bought or swayed through donations, be it in cash or kind, that appear transactional," said John Paradza, the party's Deputy Secretary for Youth Affairs.2 The youth wing said Chivayo should direct support at communities rather than state institutions, suggesting he may have been "ill-advised" in pursuing such a donation.23
The Zimbabwe Constitutional Movement accused President Emmerson Mnangagwa of orchestrating the donation through Chivayo as a "deliberate and well calculated strategy" to buy lawmakers' loyalty ahead of Constitutional Amendment Bill Number 3.1 The organisation said the donation illustrated "rampant corruption and misgovernance".1 Opposition political party members and civil society groups similarly characterised the pledge as an attempt to bribe parliamentarians into supporting the bill, which critics say seeks to extend Mnangagwa's tenure beyond his constitutionally mandated two terms.3
Chivayo said he retracted the pledge after reflecting on concerns raised by ZANU PF youth officials, acknowledging as "a political novice" that he may not have observed proper "structures and protocols".4 He described himself as "a businessman and philanthropist supporting national development" who does not aspire to political office.4