Harare turns out for final procession of Wicknell Chivayo and wife

HARARE — Roads through central Harare were closed yesterday as thousands of mourners gathered to see the remains of businessman and philanthropist Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy Muteke, leave Doves Funeral Services.

Police shut sections of Kwame Nkrumah Avenue and Harare Street to clear a route for the procession and control traffic. The couple’s remains were then taken to their Gletwyn home, where they were due to lie in state overnight before today’s burial at Sahwira Glen Forest Cemetery.

The cortege reflected the conspicuous style for which Chivayo was known. Rolls-Royces and Mercedes-Benz vehicles travelled with the hearses, while two white caskets drew particular attention: one designed with a Rolls-Royce grille and marked WMC 777, the other fitted with a Mercedes-Benz front and covered by the Zimbabwean flag.

As the convoy moved through the central business district, people waved and called out farewells. Many filmed the procession on their phones; others watched from nearby balconies. A group of motorcyclists, led by rider Victor “Coach Rambo” Kazembe, accompanied the cortege with loud horns and manoeuvres.

Chivayo, who was declared a provincial hero after his death, was among Zimbabwe’s best-known public figures, with a profile built through business, philanthropy and a flamboyant public image.

Businessman and legislator Pedzisai “Scott” Sakupwanya, cleric Prophet Uebert Angel and several politicians were among those at the funeral proceedings. At the chapel, mourners jostled to enter the limited space set aside for the official service.

Members of the Johane Masowe WeChishanu Apostolic sect led the rites, under Madzibaba Lawrence Katsiru and Madzibaba Stanley Kazingizi. Kazingizi said the couple would be buried according to the sect’s customs, as they had wished.

“He was a man who loved his religion, so we will adhere to everything our founder, Baba Johane, said. We will do everything for Madzibaba Wicknell and Madzimai Lulu to make sure they are buried in the way of Baba Johane,” he said. “We also want to thank his parents and family for granting us permission to do what our religion requires.”

Kazingizi said the condition of the remains meant the church could not observe some customary practices that would otherwise have been followed.

“The reason why we had to forego some of our traditions in respect of the coffin is obviously the condition of their bodies. If their bodies were still intact, we could have adhered to our culture, but their condition has moved us to use caskets. As you are aware, their bodies were crushed into pieces, and that alone has pushed us to forego some of our cultural traditions,” he said.

He also recalled a close friendship with Chivayo, saying the businessman had impressed on him the importance of hard work. The two, he said, often spoke about work and religion, met regularly and sometimes shared breakfast at Chivayo’s home.

The cortege reached the Gletwyn residence as light rain fell over Harare and nearby areas. An air of grief settled over the home as the caskets were carried inside, and sect members continued with prayers and other rites. The media was not permitted to record parts of the proceedings.

Earlier, Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe, ICT Minister Tatenda Mavetera, ZANU PF members and other prominent figures had visited the family to offer condolences.

Chivayo died last Wednesday when a helicopter crashed near Marondera in Mashonaland East. He was travelling back to Harare from Gandami in Chikomba district, his rural home. The crash also killed two pilots and an aide; the three have since been buried.

Today’s programme is scheduled to begin with the caskets being taken to the flower house, followed by speeches. The cortege is due to leave for Sahwira Glen Forest Cemetery at noon, with the burial planned for 2pm. Chivayo and Muteke are to be buried side by side.