By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
BUSINESSMAN Wicknell Chivhayo has donated vehicles and cash to Zimbabwe’s security forces as the country marked Unity Day on December 22.
The donations include 10 Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series VXR vehicles and US$1 million in cash to the ZDF Commander’s Christmas Cheer Fund.
The ZRP Commissioner General’s Cheer Fund received five Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series VXR vehicles and US$500,000 in cash, while the ZPCS Commissioner General’s Cheer Fund also received five similar vehicles and US$500,000 in cash.
In a statement posted on his official Facebook page, Chivhayo said the donations were made in the spirit of celebrating Unity Day, which commemorates the signing of the 1987 Unity Accord between the late former President Robert Gabriel Mugabe and the late former Vice President Dr Joshua Nkomo.
He praised the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF), the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), and the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS), saying they have contributed to Zimbabwe being one of the most peaceful countries in the world.
Chivhayo said the donations were meant to complement government efforts to improve the welfare of serving and retired security personnel through various institutional cheer funds.
“It is in this spirit of UNITY and NATIONAL SERVICE that I am pleased to make the following donations,” he said.
Chivhayo said the vehicles are intended to support welfare-focused and operational outreach programmes under the respective cheer funds.
He said the vehicles are ready for immediate handover through Faramatsi Motors and the cash is available for immediate distribution, subject to approval by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces.
He also acknowledged the role of the cheer funds in supporting orphans, widows, injured veterans, and retired officers, particularly during the festive season.
“As we celebrate this Unity Day, I SALUTE the enduring leadership of the Service Chiefs and Commissioner Generals,” Chivhayo said.
Unity Day is a public holiday in Zimbabwe and is observed annually to promote national unity, peace, and reconciliation.