State Agents Foil Chivayo’s Attempt To Gatecrash Mnangagwa-Dangote Meeting | Report

Alleged tenderpreneur Wicknell Chivayo reportedly caused a stir at State House in Harare on Wednesday after he tried to force his way into a high-level meeting between President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote.

The meeting was for the signing of a potential US$1 billion investment deal, but Chivayo, who was not on the official guest list, was barred from entering.

According to The NewsHawks, Chivayo had told his associates that he was personally meeting Dangote to finalise a “mega deal” and that officials were expecting him at State House.

However, his plan allegedly fell apart when Mnangagwa’s aides, including his son Sean, who is part of the President’s close protection unit, blocked him and escorted him out.

A senior government official who attended the meeting told The NewsHawks that the incident left security and protocol teams on edge and startled several dignitaries present. Said the official:

“It was drama; a spectacle. Chivayo was not invited to the meeting. He had spent some time trying to convince the President’s protocol and security teams that he should be allowed to attend the Dangote meeting. He begged them for days, but all in vain.

“He badly wanted to see Dangote and pitch his quick-buck schemes, but, as usual, he had also seen a big photo opportunity for himself.

“So he contrived to deceive or scam his hangers-on and state officials.

“All he wanted was to get a photo with Dangote to enhance his status and, in the process, scam people that he is signing deals with the richest man in Africa, the wealthiest black person in the world.

“Chivayo likes Dangote, but for his own interests. Yes, he truly admires him, but the difference is that one is a genuine businessman, while the other is a tenderpreneur.

“Their business models, values and ambitions are so different, and not aligned at all.

“One is building generational wealth, while the other one is looking for tenders, fame and flamboyance for temporary gratification.”

The official added that Chivayo was told to leave since he had not been invited, leaving him embarrassed and humiliated. Said the official:

“Chivayo’s plan this time failed. He had plotted this after failing to get invited to the meeting. Under false pretences, he then negotiated his way at the gate into State House, which is a security breach, I’m told, and tried to force his way into the meeting, but he was stopped.

“He was told it was not possible to attend because he was not invited. His attempt to name-drop the President was promptly and curtly rejected. He was told to go away, so he was embarrassed and humiliated.”

Chivayo was seen walking from his car towards the State House offices carrying a brown envelope, leading onlookers to assume he had received a last-minute invitation.