Ginimbi's lavish farewell: A million-dollar tombstone unveiling and unanswered questions 4 years after his horror accident

Opulence and extravagance defined the life of Genius "Ginimbi" Kadungure, and his final resting place is no exception.

Over the weekend, friends and family gathered at his Domboshava homestead to unveil a million-dollar mausoleum, a testament to the flamboyant socialite’s life. The glass-fronted structure, adorned with Versace finishes, houses a lavish tombstone, a fitting tribute to a man known for his extravagant lifestyle.

"It was a huge loss to everyone. He loved people. He worked hard and played hard. He loved his family," said one Amai, a close family friend who reflected on the death of the popular fuel trader and socialite.

Amongst those attending the unveiling was Serge Cabonge, a self-proclaimed retired "blesser" from South Africa.

Kadungure's life, however, was as controversial as it was opulent. He tragically died at the age of 36 on Sunday, 8 November 2020, in a fiery high-speed car crash. Returning home from a female friend – Moana’s birthday celebration at around 5 AM, his Rolls Royce collided head-on with a Honda Fit on Borrowdale Road.

The impact sent the Rolls Royce careening off the road and into a tree, resulting in a devastating fire. Ginimbi and three friends – Karim, Elisha, and Moana (who was celebrating her birthday) – perished in the inferno. The occupants of the Honda Fit escaped with minor injuries.

Eyewitness Danny Kuwanga described the events leading up to the crash: “It happened in front of my eyes. He was speeding. He first overtook me and as he tried to overtake a second vehicle, that’s when he crashed into the Honda Fit driving the opposite way.”

Kuwanga and three other men pulled Ginimbi from the burning vehicle, but tragically, the three women inside were unable to escape. “The girls didn’t make it out. They were just crying inside the burning car. We couldn’t do anything,” he recounted.

Coincidentally, Ginimbi's sister, Juliet, also tragically died in a road accident three years later.

Ginimbi's final Instagram post, viewed by his over 600,000 followers, was a video showcasing his extravagant lifestyle. He declared: “Guys it’s time to go out, it’s gonna be going down. We’re going to Dreams (nightclub) in the next few minutes, it’s gonna be going down. It’s Moana’s birthday, we’re going to pop champagne, it’s gonna be champagne showers tonight, see you there.” The video shows him entering his Rolls Royce Wraith, the US$500,000 vehicle’s engine roaring as the song "Hello" by Kabza de Small and DJ Mapholisa plays.

The source of Ginimbi’s wealth has been a subject of intense speculation for years. While he was publicly known for his LP gas company and the high-end Dreams nightclub, rumours circulated about his wealth stemming from "juju" (blood money) or political connections. These claims were vehemently denied by close friends, who instead highlighted his entrepreneurial spirit.

Ronald Muzambe, in a statement released by Friends of Ginimbi a few days after his death, stated: “Many may not know this, but at the beginning of his entrepreneurial journey, Genius would order muriwo (leafy vegetables such as covo and rape) from the villagers in Domboshava and sell it in town, which is a testament to the determination of the man.”

Muzambe also revealed that Ginimbi had significant business interests outside Zimbabwe, including successful companies in Botswana, adding, “His tangible assets and the companies that generated income for him are there for everyone to see. It is common knowledge that Genius was one of the earliest resellers of LPG gas in Zimbabwe, and he had successful companies in Botswana as well.”

Despite these assertions, tracing the precise origins and accumulation of Ginimbi’s wealth remains challenging. His Piko Trading Group, a conglomerate of gas companies across several SADC countries, is often cited as the primary source, alongside Dreams Nightlife Club and the Genius Foundation. However, the full extent of his business empire and the details of his financial dealings remain unclear.

Adding to the complexity of his legacy are past legal battles. Two years before his death, South Africa-based business tycoon Mutumwa Mawere threatened legal action over an alleged unpaid debt of R340 000, a claim Ginimbi denied. He also faced accusations of defrauding former Zanu PF Member of Parliament Dexter Nduna and a Kadoma-based miner of R1 581 890, and had repeated run-ins with the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) over unpaid taxes.

Kumbirai Hodzi, Zimbabwe's Prosecutor-General at the time, detailed one such case: “We are seeking a final order to forfeit quite expensive cars such as Rolls Royce and Lamborghini from Genius Kadungure, the now deceased. During trials when he was still alive, there is one involving illegal importation of high performing, expensive cars,” he explained.

“We have evidence from South Africa of the Rolls Royce and Lamborghini of how much he paid on the South African side, how much he paid the manufacturers. We have evidence of how much he paid in duty when he brought them to the country and undervalued. We were able to prove that he defrauded Zimra of duty and we simply impounded and made sure the cars were forfeited to the State.”

Ginimbi’s life, from his humble beginnings to his extravagant lifestyle and untimely death, remains a subject of fascination and debate. The lavish mausoleum serves as a striking reminder of his flamboyant persona, while the unanswered questions surrounding his wealth continue to fuel speculation.