Adam Rhys Lurie investigated the aircraft Wicknell Chivayo uses. The jet carries South African registration ZS-ACT. Records identify it as a Bombardier Challenger 300 business jet manufactured in 2004 with serial number 20034. The plane appears on flight trackers but lists only "Private owner" in public databases since South Africa protects identity information.
South African Civil Aviation Authority manages aircraft through an operator system rather than tracking owners directly, keeping official ownership hidden from public view. This same registration number previously belonged to a DH.80A Puss Moth operated by Rhodesian Aviation Co in 1931, later sold to Southern Rhodesia in 1935. Registration numbers recycle over time, creating potential confusion.
Research shows Searay BD100 Charters Partners operates this aircraft. This South African partnership connects to Seardel and the Searll family. Wicknell apparently arranged a long-term lease with them, explaining why his "madzibaba" logo appears on a plane belonging to Searay BD100 Charter partners. The investigation found no connections between the Searll family and Chivayo, who has faced criminal convictions.
On March 6th, Wicknell claimed "owning a private jet is nothing short of incredible" despite not actually owning it. Industry experts estimate leasing costs between $36,000 and $50,000 monthly, or about $6,000 per flight hour. Wicknell has almost no businesses registered personally except Intratek and a UK company called Bateman Energy International, dissolved in October 2016, registered at a house in Bracknell.
His profile resembles the flashy character Mo Dollars from years back. The investigation links him to gold smuggling networks. His brother Joachim Chivayo faces legal troubles after authorities caught him with $780,000 worth of gold in South Africa in November 2024. The court case was scheduled for February 25, 2025, though no updates have emerged recently.
Lurie plans to continue investigating potential businesses Wicknell established in Mauritius that may function as money laundering operations. As additional information about his financial activities abroad comes to light, more details will emerge.
South African Civil Aviation Authority manages aircraft through an operator system rather than tracking owners directly, keeping official ownership hidden from public view. This same registration number previously belonged to a DH.80A Puss Moth operated by Rhodesian Aviation Co in 1931, later sold to Southern Rhodesia in 1935. Registration numbers recycle over time, creating potential confusion.
Research shows Searay BD100 Charters Partners operates this aircraft. This South African partnership connects to Seardel and the Searll family. Wicknell apparently arranged a long-term lease with them, explaining why his "madzibaba" logo appears on a plane belonging to Searay BD100 Charter partners. The investigation found no connections between the Searll family and Chivayo, who has faced criminal convictions.
On March 6th, Wicknell claimed "owning a private jet is nothing short of incredible" despite not actually owning it. Industry experts estimate leasing costs between $36,000 and $50,000 monthly, or about $6,000 per flight hour. Wicknell has almost no businesses registered personally except Intratek and a UK company called Bateman Energy International, dissolved in October 2016, registered at a house in Bracknell.
His profile resembles the flashy character Mo Dollars from years back. The investigation links him to gold smuggling networks. His brother Joachim Chivayo faces legal troubles after authorities caught him with $780,000 worth of gold in South Africa in November 2024. The court case was scheduled for February 25, 2025, though no updates have emerged recently.
Lurie plans to continue investigating potential businesses Wicknell established in Mauritius that may function as money laundering operations. As additional information about his financial activities abroad comes to light, more details will emerge.
