Chivayo Gives US$3.6 Million to Parliamentarians
Businessman Wicknell Chivayo has pledged to donate US$3.6 million to Parliament, saying the funds should be shared equally among Members of Parliament and Senators for constituency development projects.
In a statement issued on Independence Day, Chivayo said he would hand over the money to the Speaker of Parliament next week, with each of the country’s 360 legislators set to receive US$10,000.
“I will hand over a total of US$3.6 million to the Speaker of Parliament next week in order to distribute it as US$10,000 to each of the 360 Members of Parliament and Senators, for use strictly towards constituency development,” Chivayo said.
He said the funds should be used in the same manner as the Constituency Development Fund, targeting practical community needs such as boreholes, stalled projects, markets, clean water and sanitation.
“This donation must be utilised exactly the same way as the Constituency Development Fund and must go towards drilling boreholes, completing stalled projects, building community markets and delivering clean water, sanitation or any other essential social services,” he said.
Chivayo said the offer was open to legislators from all political parties, describing it as an Independence Day gesture meant to promote inclusive development.
“I am humbly offering to provide this small donation to all MPs and Senators, regardless of political affiliation. This is my special way of celebrating Independence Day with an olive branch extended countrywide for development across all constituencies,” he said.
He added that every constituency deserved development and urged Zimbabweans to remain united and patriotic.
“Every constituency must be developed and every Zimbabwean must feel the gains of our independence,” said Chivayo.