HARARE – Outspoken preacher Apostle Talent Chiwenga has launched a scathing attack on Pastor Ian Ndlovu, accusing him of compromising his spiritual integrity by accepting lavish gifts from controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo. The public criticism has ignited a heated debate about the role of religious leaders and the ethical implications of accepting donations from individuals with questionable sources of wealth.
Chiwenga’s remarks, delivered with his characteristic bluntness, directly challenged Ndlovu’s scriptural interpretations and questioned the origins of the gifts, suggesting they were politically motivated rather than divinely sourced.
Chiwenga, however, sees the matter in a different light, accusing Ndlovu of being unduly influenced by Chivayo’s generosity.
“Ian Ndlovu is now Wicknell Chivayo’s sidechick,” Apostle Chiwenga stated. “Ian Ndlovu inzenza ya Wicknell Chivayo. You can’t quote John Chapter 3 and say ‘a man cannot receive anything except from God’. We know the scriptures that say they are prophesying for a bribe. What you received is not from above. That car is not from above. It came from Zanu-PF. Wicknell Chivayo was very clear, ‘everyone receiving cars from me, they must know it’s coming from Zanu-PF.”
Chiwenga implied that the gifts, particularly the vehicles, were not divinely sourced but rather politically motivated, citing Chivayo’s own statements that the gifts were connected to Zanu-PF.
Chivayo had publicly praised Prophet Ndlovu for his unifying role in Zimbabwe’s spiritual landscape, highlighting his calls for national prayer and his avoidance of divisive rhetoric.
“Through the Divine Kingdom Baptist Ministries, you have stood as a beacon of truth, unity and peace in the body of Christ. Your consistent calls for national prayer for our country’s leadership, regardless of political affiliation, is a mark of political maturity and spiritual integrity,” Chivayo stated. “What I admire most is that you never use the pulpit to sow division, but rather you have used it to foster dialogue and reconciliation.”
Prominent businessman Wicknell Chivayo made a grand philanthropic gesture, donating two brand-new vehicles and a substantial cash package to Prophet Ian Ndlovu of Divine Kingdom Baptist Ministries in recognition of his spiritual leadership and national influence.
Chivayo, who is known for his generosity towards religious and social causes, expressed deep admiration for Prophet Ndlovu’s humility, prophetic gift, and commitment to unity in Zimbabwe.
“In my entire lifetime, I have met a few true prophets of God who remain full of humility despite having an exceptional gift of prophecy, evangelism, and giving spiritual counsel to the nation,” Chivayo wrote. “Today, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to a man of God whose ministry has touched countless lives.”
He praised Prophet Ndlovu’s consistent calls for national prayer and reconciliation across political divides, saying the clergyman’s work stands as a model of spiritual maturity and political neutrality.
“Through Divine Kingdom Baptist Ministries, you have stood as a beacon of truth, unity, and peace in the body of Christ. What I admire most is that you never use the pulpit to sow division, but rather to foster dialogue and reconciliation.”
According to Chivayo, the vehicles-worth a combined US$280,000-are ready for collection at Faramatsi Motors in Harare. In addition to the vehicles, he pledged US$100,000 toward the completion of the church’s building project and a further US$50,000 to support Mrs Ndlovu’s charity programs.
Chivayo concluded his message with a prayer for Prophet Ndlovu’s continued influence and preservation of his ministry.
“Zimbabwe is spiritually richer because of men of faith like you,” he stated.
Prophet Ian Ndlovu, born in Ntabazinduna in 1976, is widely respected for his work that bridges spiritual, academic, and philanthropic spheres. He holds degrees in Economics with Education, a Master’s, and a PhD. He previously lectured at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) and the Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU) before fully dedicating himself to ministry.
Divine Kingdom Baptist Ministries, which began as a small prayer group, has grown into a global spiritual movement. Prophet Ndlovu has garnered international recognition, especially in Kenya, where his prophecies concerning political developments have reportedly materialized, further bolstering his profile as a pan-African spiritual leader.
The controversy surrounding the gifts has also drawn attention to Chivayo’s own background and the source of his wealth. Chivayo is an ex-convict who allegedly benefitted millions through corruption. His sources of funds have long been unknown.
But recent revelations from South African financial intelligence authorities showed that he benefitted close to R1 billion through controversial Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) contracts. He is being probed for potential money laundering and fraud.
Sources close to the investigation suggest that this latest move is part of a strategy to sanitize dirty money through high-profile religious endorsements.
In one photo, Prophet Ndlovu and his wife are seen proudly holding vehicle registration documents bearing the Zimbabwean government seal, an apparent attempt to showcase legitimacy. However, investigators believe these are merely part of a broader public relations smokescreen.
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