Businessman Wicknell Chivayo has sought official approval to donate 10 armoured Toyota Fortuner vehicles, US$250,000 worth of tactical equipment and an iPhone 17 Pro Max to every officer at CID Homicide Harare.
The proposed package follows the conviction of 18 armed robbers who attacked Chivayo’s in-laws at Alpha and Omega Farm in Marondera in March 2025.
Chivayo announced the proposed donation on Tuesday, praising the police response team, investigators and commanders who handled the case.
“In appreciation, yesterday I formally wrote to the Principal seeking the necessary permission and approval,” Chivayo said.
He proposed providing 10 new 2026 Toyota Fortuners, or equivalent vehicles selected by the authorities, to improve CID Homicide’s operational mobility in Harare and other parts of the country.
The US$250,000 package would comprise specialised tactical and protective equipment chosen by the department to improve officers’ safety during operations.
Chivayo also offered to give every officer attached to CID Homicide at Harare Central an iPhone 17 Pro Max, whether or not the officer participated directly in the investigation involving his in-laws.
The proposal remains subject to approval through Commissioner-General of Police Stephen Mutamba and other relevant authorities. The vehicles, equipment and phones have therefore not yet been formally donated or accepted.
“This proposed donation and gesture, if approved, is simply my small way of saying thank you for a job well done,” Chivayo said.
He described the police response as swift and the investigation as thorough, saying officers had followed available leads until the accused were brought before the courts.
“Too often we are quick to criticise our law-enforcement agencies when things go wrong, but equally, when officers perform exceptionally well, we must give credit where it’s due,” he said.
Robbers Targeted Chivayo’s In-Laws
The case arose from an armed robbery at Alpha and Omega Farm during the early hours of March 18, 2025.
The court heard that the gang arrived at approximately 1am armed with rifles, pistols, machetes, iron bars and bolt cutters.
Security guards Petros Mabunhu and Medic Zhakata were allegedly assaulted before one was forced to lead the attackers to the bedrooms.
The robbers stole tens of thousands of US dollars, firearms, mobile phones, television sets, groceries and other property from several people at the farm.
Gerald Muteke reportedly surrendered US$18,000, a loaded pistol and a Samsung S23 phone. Vimbai Muteke allegedly handed over US$1,100 and a safe key before the attackers took another US$55,000 from the safe.
The gang also allegedly stole US$10,700 and other valuables from Cossam Siminya, while tuckshop worker Bosco Chidukudze was assaulted and robbed of his cellphone.
Harare regional magistrate Masaiona Shotgame convicted the 18 men after a full trial during which they pleaded not guilty.
Reports have presented conflicting totals for the cumulative prison terms. Chivayo said the sentences amounted to 950 years, while other reports placed the combined figure at 1,000 years or more.
Nine defendants were reportedly given effective sentences of 76 years each, while the remaining nine received 55 years each. Some sentences imposed on separate counts will run concurrently, making it important to distinguish between cumulative and effective prison terms.
Donation Raises Governance Questions
The proposed donation could provide CID Homicide with vehicles and protective equipment at a time when police departments face operational-resource constraints.
However, because the offer follows an investigation in which Chivayo’s relatives were the victims, its consideration will require transparent handling to avoid perceptions that individual complainants can privately reward officers after successful prosecutions.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police had not publicly announced its acceptance of the proposed package at the time of writing.
Chivayo’s original public statement described the offer as recognition of officers working under difficult and dangerous conditions.