Eunor Guti, the widow of the late Archbishop Ezekiel Guti, founder of ZAOGA Forward In Faith Ministries International, has reportedly turned down a brand-new Toyota VXR Land Cruiser 300 and a cash gift of US$250,000 from Wicknell Chivayo.
Chivayo, a socialite known for being involved in several controversies over government contracts, made the donation last week in memory of Archbishop Guti, who he said supported him during tough times.
However, some church members urged Eunor Guti to reject the gift, saying Chivayo’s money was “tainted”. They even offered to buy the car for her themselves.
A senior church official, who spoke to NewZimbabwe.com on condition of anonymity, said:
The church accepts and encourages people to give to their God. But they must do so following strictly the teachings from our father, which are all drawn from the word of God. The word of God is sufficient for us. It is the Kingdom of God with all the treasures in it.
We are an indigenous church founded on the principle of righteousness. Our father, Professor Guti, was promoted to glory, but he left us with the Kingdom of God, which has everything that you can think of. The Kingdom of God is enough for us.
| List of People that Accepted Cars from Wicknell Chivayo |
A member of the Guti family told NewZimbabwe.com that they were never directly contacted by Chivayo about the proposed donation. Said the family member:
As a family, we did not receive any formal communication from Mr. Chivayo. We simply became aware of the offer through social media.
The matter is neither here nor there. Honouring Baba Guti should be done in a manner that is pleasing to God. The church will respond in due course.
Chivayo announced the gift on his social media pages, saying it was well deserved because Guti “always supported the government during difficult times.” He wrote:
In honour of 100 years of UNMATCHED SERVICE to the body of Christ and in recognition of the SELFLESS COMMITMENT to the Gospel, to charity, to education, to health, and to building a better nation, I am PROFOUNDLY HUMBLED to express my deepest gratitude to my beloved mother, DR. EUNOR GUTI.
Ordinarily, I would say, please go and see Farai, but Farai from Faramatsi Motors, Club Chambers Showroom, along 4th Street, will come to you and deliver your 2025 brand new Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series VXR, which is fully paid for and ready for delivery, subject to the Church’s Governing Board’s consent. Furthermore, please accept USD250,000 in CASH for fuel and your personal use.
Chivayo’s gift caused a lot of debate among ZAOGA’s leadership. Some leaders saw nothing wrong with accepting it, but many people online have praised Eunor Guti for turning it down, calling it “dirty money” believed to have come from corruption.
Guti is now the second well-known person to reject such a lavish gift from Chivayo, following legendary musician Thomas “Mukanya” Mapfumo, who also turned down both a car and a house.
Some religious figures have accepted gifts from Chivayo, including Prophet Ian Ndlovu and gospel singers Olivia Charamba and Dorcas Moyo.
Others who received gifts include TV personality Mai Chisamba, musicians Alick Macheso, Jah Prayzah, Leonard Zhakata, and the widow and three children of the late Leonard Dembo.
More: NewZimbabwe.com
If the Church accepts offerings and gifts from other people including congregants without proof of origin , it then becimes judgimental to simpky sag Chivhayo,s gift is dirty without any proof .
Chaakanakira Mari yake haadyi nevamwe vanhu asi nemwana wevhu