Michelle Chiyangwa the 31-year-old daughter of Phillip Chiyangwa, Zanu PF’s head of fundraising for the 2023 elections, on Monday, launched a GoFundMe bid to raise £7 300 for an operation to manage her weight gain.
She had raised just £10 after 15 hours and she has since stopped accepting donations.
Michelle, who lives in the United Kingdom, said she was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) in 2012, which causes her to gain weight and have cystic acne.
She had tried to manage her weight gain through diet, exercise and cutting on alcohol but she “barely lost weight.” She said in her fundraising appeal:
Each time I go on a weight loss journey it is a struggle to work out because number one my breasts are an F Cup and cause a strain on my back and I have never been able to get rid of my stomach, which I think is associated with PCOS.
Michelle is seeking financial support for a breast reduction op as well as liposuction, a surgical procedure that uses a suction technique to remove fat from specific areas of the body, such as the abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks, arms or neck.
Michelle’s appeal had received just one donor by Tuesday, a Natasha Mtetwa who left her £10 and said: “Wishing you all the best sis.”
One Zimbabwean wrote on Michelle’s Facebook that her appeal “feels so disrespectful.” Mandy Keys wrote:
With respect, you come from a family that is synonymous with an extremely extravagant lifestyle, exorbitant holidays, beachside weddings, massive real estate portfolio, top of the range vehicles and an entire portfolio of business operation. I’m at a loss then as to why on earth you would need to crowdfund for something like this.
I am sorry but if feels vulgar and absurd. You are looking for £7K, something your brothers spend on a night out. I have no doubt in my mind that dad or mum have that cash in their car as we speak.
Michelle’s father, Phillip who popularised the line “apa Shauna cash” in viral videos which show him flaunting his riches and mocking skint Zimbabweans, said, “She’s helping somebody.”
Visit Michelle Chiyangwa’s GoFundMe appeal
More: ZimLive