From “Go See Victor” to Unpaid Bills

HARARE — The luxury cars Wicknell Chivayo gave away so publicly were often collected on his word that they were “fully paid for.” After his death in a helicopter crash on 30 September, several Harare dealers say large balances remain outstanding.

For years Chivayo directed recipients to “go see Victor” at Exquisite Car Sales and other showrooms. Musicians, church leaders and others drove away in Fortuners and Range Rovers while he declared every vehicle settled. Dealers now claim payment was routinely deferred by up to two months. Bulk orders forced them to borrow stock from one another, spreading the debt. With Chivayo gone, those payments have stopped. Outstanding amounts are said to run into millions of dollars.

Recovery now depends on the formal opening of his estate. Some dealers may still hold title and can seek repossession; most will join the queue of creditors.

The same pattern of public pledges and delayed settlement appears elsewhere. In February 2026 Chivayo publicly promised US$1 million to Beautify Malawi (BEAM), the trust chaired by Malawi’s First Lady Gertrude Mutharika. Whether that payment was ever completed remains unclear.