Charismatic preacher Emmanuel Makandiwa says he will now accept controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo’s gift after previously turning it down.
Makandiwa, the founder and leader of the United Family International Church (UFIC), a megachurch based in Chitungwiza, insisted his initial refusal was based on principle and not on public criticism surrounding the alleged tenderpreneur.
Speaking to congregants during a church service at the weekend, Makandiwa said the gift was still available and that he expected Chivayo to deliver it.
“Leaving this place, we are already expecting that the gentleman will bring our gift. The gifts are there. I’m the one who had not collected. We will receive them, pray for you and bless you,” Makandiwa told congregants.
He said criticism of Chivayo’s donations did not influence his earlier decision not to collect the gift, insisting it was based on principle.
“You have to be a seer for you to be able to give me. Not just a giver. But the person is humiliated, castigated as if he is asking me. No, he wants to give,” he said.
Makandiwa said he had directly informed Chivayo of his position at the time.
“I had actually communicated with him at the time. I said: ‘I had received the gift, but I’m not going to take it because I have seen how many people you have been giving to.’”
His remarks mark a shift from last month, when Chivayo revealed that Makandiwa and his wife, Ruth, had declined an undisclosed gift and had instead offered to pray for him.
Chivayo also revealed that the widow of ZAOGA FIF founder Ezekiel Guti and ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi had turned down his gifts.
Eunor Guti said she rejected an offer of a luxury vehicle and cash, citing the principles upheld by her late husband, while Magwizi said accepting the vehicles would have breached football governance and conflict-of-interest standards due to Chivayo’s links to clubs under ZIFA’s jurisdiction.
However, several other religious leaders, including Uebert Angel and his wife Beverly, Nehemiah Mutendi, Ian Ndlovu, Walter Magaya, Talent Madungwe and Trymore Muparinga, accepted vehicles and cash gifts from Chivayo.
