By Zuleihat Owuiye, Nigeria

The death of Zimbabwean billionaire Wicknell Chivayo has reportedly left several car dealers in Harare facing significant financial losses as they struggle to recover payments for luxury vehicles supplied to him before his death.

Chivayo, popularly known as Sir Wicknell, reportedly died in a helicopter crash near Marondera in Mashonaland East on September 30, 2026. His wife, Lucy Muteke, two pilots and a personal aide also died in the incident.

The businessman was widely known for his extravagant lifestyle and generosity, particularly his habit of gifting expensive vehicles and large sums of money to celebrities, politicians, lawyers, religious leaders and other public figures.

However, his sudden death has left some vehicle suppliers uncertain about how they will recover outstanding payments for cars that have already been delivered to their recipients.

Over the years, Chivayo became a prominent figure in Zimbabwe’s luxury vehicle market through his high-profile car gifts, many of which were announced through social media posts and videos.

Recipients were often directed to collect their vehicles directly from dealerships, where some of the cars were presented with elaborate decorations.

His final public posts, reportedly published on the day of his death, announced luxury SUVs for two lawyers, alongside US$250,000 each, which he described as “small petty cash.”

Reports indicated that Chivayo had distributed more than 300 luxury vehicles before his death. Some accounts, however, suggested that the number could have reached 3,000 over a two-year period.

The estimated value of the vehicles and cash gifts was put at approximately US$47 million.

His frequent purchases made him a major customer for several dealerships in Harare, with suppliers reportedly benefiting from the large orders he placed.

Much of Chivayo’s vehicle procurement reportedly went through Exquisite Car Sales in Harare, while a man identified as Victor Matiyenga was said to have coordinated the distribution of the vehicles.

Other dealerships, including showrooms along Robert Mugabe Road in Eastlea and in Braeside, also reportedly supplied vehicles connected to the businessman.

The cars included Toyota GD6 Fortuners, Toyota Aquas, Land Cruisers and Mercedes-Benz models. Some of the Toyota Fortuners reportedly cost around US$70,000 each.

Chivayo’s orders were sometimes placed in large quantities, with reports citing transactions involving as many as 100 Toyota Aquas or 50 Fortuners.

Dealers were also reportedly instructed to provide vehicles with relatively low mileage, including units with fewer than 20,000 kilometres on the clock.

According to a report published by The Standard Zimbabwe on October 11, 2026, several dealerships are now dealing with uncertainty over millions of dollars allegedly owed for vehicles supplied before Chivayo’s death.

The situation is particularly difficult because some dealers reportedly expected payments within two months of supplying the vehicles. His history of making payments had helped establish him as a dependable customer, encouraging businesses to continue fulfilling his bulk orders.

With his death, however, suppliers are now facing questions about who will settle the outstanding balances and how long the recovery process could take.

The reported financial difficulties extend beyond individual dealerships because suppliers sometimes sourced vehicles from one another to meet Chivayo’s demands.

As a result, the outstanding payments may have affected several businesses across the wider vehicle trade rather than a single showroom.

Dealers who supplied cars on the strength of Chivayo’s previous payment record are now reportedly struggling to recover money for vehicles that have already been handed over to their intended recipients.

The situation has raised concerns about the financial risks associated with large transactions when payments remain outstanding and the person responsible for them dies unexpectedly.

The process of determining responsibility for the debts and recovering the money could depend on the handling of Chivayo’s estate and any applicable legal proceedings.

Meanwhile, the billionaire’s funeral attracted public attention following a speech delivered on behalf of his former wife, Sonja Madzikanda.

Sonja reportedly asked a friend to deliver the address in Shona, focusing on their children and the importance of love and healing during a difficult period.

Her message drew admiration from some observers, who praised her composure as the family mourned the businessman.

While attention has continued to focus on Chivayo’s extravagant gifts and funeral, the reported unpaid vehicle bills have introduced a new challenge for businesses that supplied him with luxury cars.

For the affected dealers, the priority is now determining how the outstanding payments can be recovered following the sudden death of one of Zimbabwe’s most prominent luxury vehicle buyers.