Letter to USA Authorities: To Whom It May Concern – Musician Thomas Mapfumo and us$1.5 million.
14 July 2026.
Re: Request for Investigation into the Source of Funds of Zimbabwean Businessman Wicknell Chivayo and Financial Dealings Involving U.S. Based Musician Thomas Mapfumo.
Dear Sir/Madam,
My name is Violet Makunike. I am a charity worker and a concerned Zimbabwean-UK citizen committed to fight against corruption.
I respectfully request that the relevant United States authorities consider reviewing publicly reported financial dealings involving controversial Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo and Zimbabwean musician Thomas Mapfumo, who is reportedly permanently resident in the United States.
Mr Chivayo has attracted significant public attention in Zimbabwe due to his extravagant displays of wealth. Media reports and his own public social media posts show him distributing large sums of money, purchasing luxury vehicles for musicians, church leaders, politicians and other individuals, donating buses to churches, acquiring private aircraft and maintaining an exceptionally lavish lifestyle.
Given Zimbabwe’s prolonged economic challenges and persistent allegations of corruption involving public resources, some Zimbabweans including myself have raised concerns regarding the source of Mr Chivayo’s wealth. These concerns have been amplified by reports of his involvement in government contracts and by his previous appearances before the courts in relation to fraud-related matters. I appreciate that allegations alone do not establish wrongdoing, but I believe they warrant appropriate scrutiny by the relevant authorities where there may be a U.S. nexus.
My particular concern relates to recent public announcements that Mr Chivayo has reportedly agreed to pay Mr Thomas Mapfumo approximately US$500,000 to perform at musician Jah Prayzah’s wedding and a further US$1,000,000 to perform at Mr. Chivayo’s birthday celebration, amounting to a total of US$1.5 million. A publicly circulated video appears to show Mr Mapfumo confirming that he intends to travel from the United States to Zimbabwe to perform at these events.
Mr Mapfumo has, in the past, publicly stated that he would not accept money from Mr Chivayo because he believed the funds were questionable. His apparent decision to accept this substantial payment has therefore raised understandable public concern and questions regarding the source of the funds involved.
I respectfully ask whether the appropriate U.S. authorities could determine whether these transactions comply with applicable U.S. laws, including tax, anti-money laundering and other relevant financial reporting requirements. If any payments are received by a U.S. resident from foreign sources, I trust that they are subject to whatever reporting and taxation obligations are required under U.S. law.
I am not asking that any conclusions be drawn without evidence. Rather, I respectfully request that the relevant authorities assess whether these publicly reported transactions merit review and, if appropriate, investigate them in accordance with U.S. law.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I appreciate the continued commitment of the United States to promoting transparency, accountability and the rule of law.
Yours faithfully,
Violet Makunike
Charity Worker
Concerned Zimbabwean-UK Citizen
vmakunike@yahoo.com
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Copies to :
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Department of Justice (DOJ) .
Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI)
U.S. Department of the Treasury – Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) .
Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
