Justice Mayor Wadyajena Biography

Background

Justice Mayor Wadyajena was born in Bulawayo on 19 November 1980, though his home area is Nembudziya, Gokwe. He holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) degree and a Master of Science in International Relations from the University of Zimbabwe. Additionally, he enrolled to study for a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) with the University of London. Wadyajena married his wife, Rebbeca, at the age of 21, and together they have four children. He also has a daughter from a previous relationship; following a 2013 maintenance dispute, the High Court ultimately ruled in his favor and he assumed full custody of the child.

Business Career

Wadyajena began his private business endeavors at the age of 18. He is the owner and founder of Mayor Logistics (Pvt) Ltd., a company with significant operations in construction, transport, and energy. His business portfolio expanded when his company, Mayor Contracting, was awarded a US$3,930,397.21 tender by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development for the 15-kilometer reconstruction of the Golden-Valley Sanyati Road.

Political Career

His political involvement began early when he joined the ZANU PF Youth League in 1995 at the age of 14, representing the Gokwe North District. He eventually rose to the position of Secretary for Administration for the ZANU PF Youth League in the Midlands Province, a role he held until his resignation on 29 September 2020. Supported by his political mentor Emmerson Mnangagwa, Wadyajena won the 2013 primary elections against Flora Buka and became the MP for Gokwe-Nembudziya.

During his time in parliament, former President Robert Mugabe appointed him to chair the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment. He later served as the Chairman of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Lands, Agriculture, and Rural Resettlement. His parliamentary tenure came to an end in 2023 after he lost the ZANU PF primary elections to Flora Buka.

Controversies and Legal Issues

Wadyajena's public life has been marked by several legal and public controversies. In 2014, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority accused Mayor Logistics of evading over US$3 million in taxes. Wadyajena denied the allegations, stating his taxes were current, and the matter subsided after he appealed to the Constitutional Court. In December 2015, he was arrested for allegedly insulting then-First Lady Grace Mugabe at a party conference, but he was acquitted by a Victoria Falls magistrate in January 2016.

In his business dealings, Wadyajena filed a US$7 million lawsuit against his former partner Kudakwashe Tagwirei, owner of Sakunda Holdings. The dispute was mediated by Emmerson Mnangagwa, resulting in a US$2.6 million settlement, though Tagwirei later challenged the agreement, alleging it was signed under extortion threats.

Wadyajena has also drawn public scrutiny over his lifestyle. In June 2019, he faced public backlash after importing a US$400,000 Lamborghini during an economic crisis, prompting questions about import duties and the contradiction with his party's austerity messaging. In May 2022, the Borrowdale Brooke Homeowners Association temporarily deactivated his vehicle access tags following noise complaints regarding his sports car, a decision that was later overturned by the High Court. Most recently, in August 2022, Wadyajena and four Cotton Company of Zimbabwe (COTTCO) officials were arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission. They were charged with fraud and money laundering involving US$5 million, with authorities alleging the funds were diverted through a shelf company to import 25 trucks for Mayor Logistics instead of purchasing cotton bale ties.