A Zimbabwean prophet from the Johane Masowe eChishanu church has died in a road accident while driving a luxury vehicle he received as a gift from the late businessman Wicknell Chivayo.
The religious leader, who was based in Chiweshe, was behind the wheel of the vehicle when the fatal crash occurred, bringing a tragic end to a gift that had once placed him in the spotlight after Chivayo publicly handed it to him.
News of his death has drawn fresh attention to an old photograph showing the prophet and Chivayo standing beside a white vehicle at a Johane Masowe church gathering. The image, which dates back to 2021, resurfaced on social media following the accident, with many people reflecting on the unexpected turn of events involving the two men.Breaking news service
The circumstances surrounding the crash have not been fully revealed.
Zimbabwean outlet ZimStar News identified the late prophet as Raison Pachinhevere, although other reports have referred to him simply as a Chiweshe-based prophet.
Photo of prophet with Wicknell Chivayo resurfaces
The photograph that has brought the two men back into the spotlight was originally shared by Chivayo in 2021.
In the image, the businessman is seen shaking hands with the religious leader as they pose beside a white vehicle during a Johane Masowe gathering. Chivayo appears dressed casually, while the prophet wears the white religious attire associated with the apostolic church.
The picture has since circulated widely following the news of the prophet’s death, drawing attention to the relationship between the two men and the vehicle at the centre of the latest tragedy.
Chivayo had built a public reputation around giving expensive vehicles and substantial cash gifts to people within his social circles, including musicians, religious leaders, friends and church members.
His donations often became public spectacles, with the businessman sharing photographs of the recipients and the vehicles on his social media accounts. The Chiweshe prophet was among the religious figures who benefited from his generosity.
How Wicknell Chivayo supported the Johane Masowe church
Chivayo was a familiar figure within the Johanne Masowe eChishanu church, where he regularly attended worship services and supported religious activities.
Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation reported that the businessman frequently visited the church’s shrine and was known for providing vehicles and buses to improve its transport arrangements.
Madzibaba Lawrence Katsiru, one of the church leaders, said Chivayo had remained closely connected to the congregation despite his wealth and public profile.
The businessman also maintained relationships with religious figures beyond his immediate circle, often using social media to announce donations and celebrate the people receiving them.
His death in September 2026 therefore left a significant gap within the church community, where several members had benefited from his financial support.
Chivayo also died in a helicopter crash
The prophet’s death has attracted additional attention because it came only weeks after Chivayo himself died in a helicopter crash.
All six people aboard the aircraft died. The crash prompted investigations by Zimbabwean authorities, with the aircraft’s black box among the items examined as investigators worked to establish what caused the accident.
Chivayo was widely known for his flamboyant lifestyle, luxury vehicle collection and high-value gifts to public figures and religious personalities. His death also attracted attention across Africa because of his business dealings and associations with prominent political leaders, including Kenya’s President William Ruto.
The businessman had frequently shared photographs of himself with religious leaders, musicians and political figures, making his social media accounts a public record of many of the gifts he distributed.-K24