Themba Gorimbo Fires Shot At Wicknell Chivayo: “Chedumbu Will Miss Coming To America”
Zimbabwean UFC fighter Themba Gorimbo has reignited his feud with flamboyant businessman Wicknell Chivayo, declaring on Friday 27 June that “Chedumbu (Chivayo) achashuva kuuyawo kuno” — (Chivayo will be the one missing coming here) — after musician Jah Prayzah was denied a visa to perform in the United States.
Posting on Facebook, Gorimbo hinted that the visa denial was not simply a “technical issue” as claimed, but part of a broader pattern affecting Zimbabweans closely associated with Chivayo.
“Off course ndichashuva kuenda Zimbabwe but Chedumbu achashuva kuuyawo kuno. Mwari ndewe munhu wese.” (Of course I’ll miss Zimbabwe, but Chedumbu will miss coming here. God is for everyone.)
The remarks were widely interpreted as a dig at Chivayo’s close association with Jah Prayzah, who was forced to cancel his U.S. tour after failing to secure a visa.
Gorimbo turns down Wicknell — again
This latest exchange comes just two days after Gorimbo publicly rejected an apparent offer from Chivayo. In a bold Facebook post on 25 June, he made it clear he had no interest in any gifts or gestures from the businessman, accusing him of being tainted by corruption.
“Ini handitengeke futi. Mutambo wandinoita unoda good energy. Ukadziya moto wembavha watova mbavha too.”
(I can’t be bought anymore. The sport I play requires good energy. If you warm yourself by a thief’s fire, you become a thief too.)
Gorimbo added that he had turned down Chivayo before:
“I refused this so-called gesture in December. Ndisiye. Saw him on the airport and ignored him futi.”
(Leave me alone. I saw him at the airport and ignored him again.)
His post came after Chivayo, who was attending the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, made a cryptic Facebook comment saying:
“Pane zvidiki zvandichamuitira.”
(There are some small things I will do for him.)
Gorimbo’s swift and public rejection of this offer drew both praise and criticism, reigniting a long-standing debate on social media about wealth, influence, and principle.
“I can’t be bought”: A principled stand or social media stunt?
For months, Gorimbo has positioned himself as a voice for Zimbabweans critical of corruption and political patronage. In distancing himself from Chivayo, he has made it clear that he views the businessman as emblematic of the very system he stands against.
“Mutambo wandinoita unoda good energy.”
(My sport needs good energy.)
Supporters applauded his stand, with one follower commenting:
“You just won another MMA award by turning down his offer.”
Another added:
“Saw him ku airport and ignored him futi… inini I will do the same.”
(Saw him at the airport and ignored him again… I’ll do the same.)
But critics accused Gorimbo of clout-chasing and hypocrisy, questioning his motivations and asking why he continues to speak about Chivayo if he truly wants distance.
“Wakaramba gift, why are you still talking about him every single day,” wrote one user.
“Visa denial was a sign,” claims Gorimbo
Reacting to Jah Prayzah’s cancelled US shows, Gorimbo claimed the visa denial was symbolic. He suggested the embassy may be sending a message to Zimbabwean elites:
“They treat you accordingly. I respect Mukoma but I think this was a sign. First sign. Kutaura pachikuru, unoti technically not denied. Ndini ndadaro.”
(They treat you based on what they see. I respect the elder brother, but this was a sign. The first one. You say technically not denied — I said it.)
His post concluded with:
“Once vese vakatanga kuitwa denied yah, vanogona kuzoita zviite. Nyika yave kugadzirwa ne embassy.”
(Once they all start getting denied, then it will become something. The country is now being fixed by the embassy.)
A battle of values?
Themba Gorimbo and Wicknell Chivayo now represent two very different public images. Chivayo — known for gifting luxury cars and large sums of money — has come to symbolise unchecked wealth and political patronage. Gorimbo, on the other hand, has branded himself as the “people’s champion,” calling out corruption and insisting on integrity.
Earlier in the week, Gorimbo even apologised for mocking politically conscious artist Winky D in the past, now calling him:
“Real speaker of the truth. Leader of the youth.”
His public rejection of Chivayo, coupled with his commentary on Jah Prayzah’s visa troubles, cements his position as a vocal critic of Zimbabwe’s elite — a move that continues to divide opinion.
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The post Wicknell Chivayo Will Miss Coming To America: Themba Gorimbo Claims After Jah Prayzah Denied US VISA appeared first on iHarare News.
