AHOLY Spirit Ministries Bulawayo-based pastor, Solomon Ndlovu, says tenderpreneur Wicknell Chivayo has not committed any crime, adding that the police would not have allowed him to dish out cars and splash money around.
Ndlovu’s remarks, which critics say are tantamount to bootlicking, came days after Eunor, the widow of the late Archbishop Ezekiel Guti and ZAOGA founder, turned down a brand new Toyota VXR Land Cruiser 300 and US$250 000 cash offered by Chivayo.
Chivayo, a socialite known for being involved in several controversies over government contracts, had donated in memory of the late Guti, whom he claimed supported him during tough times.
Ndlovu yesterday said the ZAOGA leader was supposed to accept the gift since she took care of orphans, had churches and other projects. Alternatively, the donation could benefit those that she serves and assists.
“Maybe she was not pleased to be given money by another billionaire since she is also one. She was supposed to take the money and maybe pay her pastors or do something that can benefit the communities she chooses or upgrade her university,” Ndlovu said.
“In Zimbabwe, there are some people who have unclean money. You will see these top leaders having properties that you would wonder where they got the money to buy them from. What is being done by Chivayo, in my view, is good; he is trying to promote and uplift his country and the Zimbabwean people by giving them money. When you are given the money, you should try to use and spread it to promote and upgrade your places.”
Ndlovu said he did not think that the police are so biased that they could not have arrested Chivayo if he had stolen the money he parcelled out.
“The likes of Bill Gates and Elon Musk give money to people in their countries. It’s the culture of billionaires to give out money to people. Are they stealing from anyone? I think there is something wrong with the people who complain when someone is given money, saying the person must return it,” the cleric said.
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The former army chaplain said church pastors received money from members, some of which is proceeds of dirty deals.
The bootlicking went a notch higher, with Ndlovu claiming that Chivayo could make a better Cabinet minister as he would not ask for a salary “since he is a billionaire”.
“Many of our ministers are hungry and I think the government should give Chivayo a ministry,” he gushed.
Ndlovu appealed to Chivayo to donate to doctors and teachers so that they become committed to their work, adding that when he gets sick, he will go to the same doctors for treatment. The cleric believes Chivayo’s hands are clean.
“If he has a problem, the courts will deal with him. I doubt that he is stealing,” he said.
“As a war veteran, I am not worried if he gives me money, I will take it. Why should I refuse a gift?"
