Many Zimbabweans online are now comparing the lives of two late flashy businessmen, Genius “Ginimbi” Kadungure and Wicknell Chivayo. 

Both men rose from humble beginnings, built huge wealth, and died young in high-profile accidents. 

Both also faced serious questions over how they made their money, including alleged corruption and tax fraud.

Genius Kadungure, known as Ginimbi, was a socialite and fuel trader who became famous for his luxury cars, big parties, and ownership of the Dreams Nightclub in Harare. 

He died at 36 in a car crash in November 2020. Wicknell Chivayo was the managing director of Intratrek Zimbabwe, an energy and infrastructure firm. 

He became known for a lavish lifestyle, close ties to African presidents, like Kenya’s William Ruto, Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni and other prominent political figures like former Nigerian president, Olesegun Obasanjo and large government contracts. He and his wife died in a helicopter crash.

Ginimbi’s main business was liquefied petroleum (LP) gas through his Piko Trading Group, which had interests in several SADC countries. 

He also ran the high-end Dreams nightclub and the Genius Foundation. Chivayo’s wealth came largely from state contracts. 

His company Intratrek won a Sh22 billion ($172 million) deal in 2015 to build a 100 megawatt solar plant for the Zimbabwe Power Company. 

He also faced scrutiny over a reported Sh12.97 billion ($100 million) contract for 2023 election materials via South Africa’s Ren Form.

Ginimbi was investigated for tax evasion and smuggling of LP gas worth millions of dollars. He was arrested in 2014 over fraud allegations involving about Sh12 (R1.58 million), including claims he defrauded a ZANU PF MP and a miner. 

His company Piko Trading was also accused of under declaring sales to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority. Chivayo was convicted of money laundering in 2005 and served time in prison. 

He later faced fraud and foreign exchange charges linked to the Gwanda solar project, but these were dismissed or he was acquitted. 

In 2024, leaked recordings tied him to the Ren Form election materials deal, though the anti corruption commission closed its inquiry in 2025 saying it found no direct evidence against him.

Ginimbi was estimated to be worth between Sh1 billion and Sh12 billion ($10 million and US$100 million). He was buried in a gold Versace casket, and his death sparked debates about “blood money” and political protection. 

Chivayo displayed Rolls Royces, private jets, designer clothes, and gave out luxury cars and cash to musicians, churches, and public figures. 

Critics said his wealth stood out in a country where many live on less than Sh648 ($5 a day). Some Zimbabweans said they were “not mourning” him, arguing his money came from a corrupt tender system.

Online, people note the similar patterns: both men showed off wealth, both had legal cases around fraud or corruption, and both died in dramatic accidents while still young. 

One post even wrote, “Genius Ginimbi now its Wicknell Chivayo. Same life story,” while news reports say the public is already drawing the comparison. 

The debate often asks who was the bigger “mbinga” (big man), but also who left more unanswered questions about the source of their riches.