Wicknell Chivayo Pledges $3.6 Million “Independence Gift” to Zimbabwean Parliamentarians

​The donation is structured to provideUSD 10,000 to each of the 360 Members of Parliament and Senators, regardless of their political affiliation. Chivayo stated that the funds are intended to function similarly to the government’sConstituency Development Fund (CDF), focusing on urgent community needs such as drilling boreholes, completing stalled infrastructure projects, and improving sanitation and clean water access. ​In his Independence Day address, Chivayo emphasized that the gesture is a “special olive branch” extended to all corners of the nation.

​”I am humbly offering to provide this small donation to all MPs and Senators, regardless of political affiliation… This is my way of celebrating Independence Day with an olive branch extended countrywide,” Chivayo stated. ​While the offer is inclusive, Chivayo noted that participation is voluntary. However, he added a strategic caveat: should any Member of Parliament decline the funds, he intends to identify “pro-development individuals” or shadow candidates within those specific constituencies to manage the projects instead.

This ensures that the development reaches the grassroots even if the sitting representative opts out. ​The funds are expected to be handed over to theSpeaker of Parliamentnext week for immediate distribution to the legislators.