Zimbabwe's 'Sir Wicknell': How a self-styled knight giving away cars has got people talking

Some are beguiled by the Zimbabwean tycoon's generosity, others alarmed about the source of his wealth.

Watch LiveBritish Broadcasting CorporationHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveHomeNewsIsrael-Gaza WarWar in UkraineUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC InDepthBBC VerifySportBusinessExecutive LoungeTechnology of BusinessFuture of BusinessInnovationTechnologyScience & HealthArtificial IntelligenceAI v the MindCultureFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsArtsArts in MotionTravelDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListEarthNatural WondersWeather & ScienceClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingAudioPodcastsRadioAudio FAQsVideoLiveLive NewsLive SportHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveWeatherNewslettersWatch LiveHow a self-styled knight giving away cars and wads of cash got people talking3 days agoShareSaveShingai NyokaBBC News, HarareShareSaveBBC"Sir Wicknell", who started out as a wages clerk for a bus firm, has become such a celebrity that his face is decorating minibus taxisA flashy tycoon in Zimbabwe has a nation entranced - some beguiled, others alarmed - by his habit of giving away cars along with wads of cash to those he deems patriotic - even presenting them to those he has never met.

Mercedes-Benzes, Toyota SUVs, Range Rovers are Wicknell Chivayo's vehicles of choice for the recipients, who range from music stars, down-at-heel gospel singers, footballers, church leaders and those loyal to the ruling Zanu-PF party.

The controversial 44-year-old is himself partial to a white Rolls-Royce and has a fleet of personalised luxury cars, some of which he has also started giving away as he gets in newer models.

For years "Sir Wicknell", as he calls himself, has loved to boast about his riches via Instagram - details the tabloids lap up - but while he is open about how he spends his money, he is less so about how he makes it as he faces scrutiny over the source of his wealth in a country where life is a daily struggle for most people.

In the last year or so his social media account has also been awash with posts about his donations.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn81ynyjy8no


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Updated: 1 month ago
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