Wicknell Chivayo has reignited controversy over his financial involvement with legislators after publicly offering two Members of Parliament brand-new Toyota Fortuner vehicles and US$50,000 each for constituency development, reviving concerns about private funding of elected officials as Parliament prepares for a crucial vote on the controversial Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3.

The latest offers, announced on Chivayo's social media platforms on Friday, come months after he withdrew an earlier US$3.6 million pledge intended for all parliamentarians following widespread public criticism.

The timing has drawn renewed scrutiny from opposition figures and governance advocates who have warned that gifts to legislators during an active constitutional process risk undermining public confidence in Parliament's independence.

Addressing CCC legislator Samantha Mureyanyi, Chivayo wrote:

"Saturday morning musina Parliament business tsvagai EXQUISITE MOTORS... Please collect your brand-new 2026 TOYOTA FORTUNER 2.8 GD6 any colour of your choice and please kindly direct the 50 thousand USD you'll receive in cash towards CONSTITUENCY DEVELOPMENT and support... I THANK YOU."

In a second post directed at another  MP,  Remigious Toendepi Matangira, Chivayo extended an identical offer.

"Saturday morning... mopihwawo yenyu 2026 Brand new TOYOTA Fortuner 2.8 GD6. Choose a colour of your choice... musazo kanganwa kupihwawo ne ka50 thousand USD cash and please channel it towards your CONSTITUENCY DEVELOPMENT needs."

Chivayo also referenced comments allegedly made by another legislator encouraging colleagues to "go and see Victor"—a reference understood to mean businessman Victor Muchengeti of Exquisite Motors, while insisting he was merely agreeing with the suggestion.

The development represents a significant shift from Chivayo's earlier position.

Earlier this year, he announced plans to donate US$3.6 million to Parliament, proposing that each of Zimbabwe's 360 Members of Parliament and Senators receive US$10,000 for constituency development projects.

The announcement immediately generated political controversy, with critics arguing that private financing of legislators risked compromising parliamentary independence and accountability.

Following mounting public criticism, including objections from sections of the ruling ZANU PF Youth League, Chivayo withdrew the parliamentary pledge before redirecting US$5 million through ZANU PF provincial structures instead.

His latest intervention effectively revives the concept of directly financing legislators, albeit on an individual basis rather than through Parliament as an institution.

Unlike the original proposal, however, the current offers are substantially larger, comprising both luxury vehicles and cash allocations worth tens of thousands of United States dollars.

The announcements also come at a politically sensitive moment.

Parliament is currently seized with debate over Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3, legislation that has become one of the country's most divisive constitutional proposals.

The Bill has triggered strong opposition from constitutional lawyers, civil society organisations and opposition parties, who argue that it could weaken constitutional safeguards and alter the balance of democratic governance. Supporters maintain that the amendments are necessary to improve governance and policy continuity.

Against that backdrop, the public gifting of vehicles and cash to sitting legislators has inevitably fuelled allegations from government critics that such gestures could amount to inducements intended to influence parliamentary decision-making.

No evidence has emerged linking Chivayo's latest offers directly to the CAB3 vote, and neither Parliament nor law enforcement authorities have alleged any criminal conduct.

Zimbabwe's Constitution emphasises integrity, accountability and transparency in public office, while the National Code of Conduct for Members of Parliament requires legislators to avoid situations that may create actual or perceived conflicts of interest.

Anti-corruption campaigners have previously argued that even donations framed as constituency development assistance can create public perceptions of political patronage if they originate from private benefactors rather than public institutions or transparent development programmes.

The controversy also highlights longstanding concerns over the financing of constituency development.

Zimbabwe's Constituency Development Fund was established to provide MPs with public resources for local projects under parliamentary oversight. However, MPs across the political divide have frequently complained that CDF allocations are inadequate or disbursed late, creating funding gaps that private donors can exploit.