A luxury Rolls-Royce Phantom commissioned by the late Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo has arrived at his Harare home, weeks after his death, bringing renewed attention to the expensive vehicle collection he built during his lifetime.
The 2026 facelift Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII was delivered on Friday, October 23, in a large wooden crate, according to reports from Zimbabwe. Images shared online showed the vehicle with a personalised registration plate bearing Chivayo’s name.
The delivery took place 15 days after Chivayo and his wife, Lucy Muteke, were buried on October 8. The couple died in a helicopter crash on September 30 in Zimbabwe’s Marondera District.
The vehicle’s arrival attracted attention because the businessman who commissioned it was no longer alive to receive it. Reports indicate that the order had been placed months before his death, meaning the purchase and delivery process continued after his passing.
The circumstances surrounding the delivery also raise questions about how high-value purchases already in transit are handled when the person who ordered them dies before taking possession.
A costly addition to his collection
The Phantom VIII is the flagship saloon produced by British luxury carmaker Rolls-Royce. Its appeal lies in its handcrafted cabin, extensive customisation options and high level of personalisation.
The vehicle delivered to Chivayo’s residence reportedly featured customised interior finishes and bodywork. However, the full list of modifications and the final purchase price have not been independently confirmed.
The cost of importing the car had already drawn attention before its arrival.
Chivayo previously shared what was reported to be a Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) receipt showing an import duty payment of US$983,000 for the Rolls-Royce Phantom.
The figure represents the reported customs duty, not the vehicle’s total price. The purchase price, shipping expenses and cost of the customised features have not been independently established.
The reported duty payment illustrates the scale of the expenditure associated with bringing such an expensive vehicle into Zimbabwe. Import charges can add substantially to the cost of luxury cars, particularly high-value models with extensive custom specifications.
The personalised number plate also follows a pattern associated with Chivayo’s collection. Many of the vehicles he displayed publicly carried plates linked to his name or public identity.
His luxury lifestyle and unfinished purchases
Chivayo became widely known in Zimbabwe for displaying expensive cars, giving vehicles to public figures and announcing cash gifts through social media.
His collection included Rolls-Royce models and other high-end vehicles. His public posts frequently featured luxury purchases, while his vehicle giveaways attracted attention from musicians, religious figures and other recipients.
The businessman’s funeral on October 8 also reflected his association with luxury motoring. A convoy of expensive vehicles accompanied the couple’s final journey, while Chivayo’s coffin featured design elements inspired by a Rolls-Royce.
His death brought those public displays to an abrupt end, but transactions initiated before September 30 could still require completion or settlement.