Prominent Zimbabwean entrepreneur Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy Muteke, have died in a helicopter accident that claimed six lives.
The aircraft went down on Wednesday evening near Kudenga Farm in the Marondera rural area, about 70km east of Harare.
Police confirmed that everyone aboard the helicopter was killed.
Chivayo, 43, and his wife were among four passengers travelling from Gandami in Chikomba, where they were reportedly constructing a countryside residence. Two pilots were also on the aircraft.
Family representative Herbert Chivayo confirmed the couple’s deaths to Zimbabwe’s state broadcaster, ZBC, describing the incident as a devastating loss.
Government spokesperson Nick Mangwana said the helicopter was carrying a prominent businessman, three passengers and two pilots. He later confirmed that there were no survivors.
The crash occurred at approximately 17:00 local time on Wednesday, around 40 minutes after the helicopter had taken off. The cause remains unclear, with authorities launching an investigation.
Aviation officials, led by Transport Minister Felix Mhona, visited the site on Thursday.
Investigators recovered the aircraft’s undamaged black box as part of efforts to establish what caused the accident.
George Mashababe, director general of the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe, said preliminary assessments indicated that fuel leaked following the impact and subsequently ignited, setting fire to surrounding grass.
Chivayo was the managing director of Intratrek Zimbabwe and became widely recognised for his involvement in major state projects, charitable activities and his extravagant presence on social media.
His company was awarded a $172m solar energy contract in Gwanda by the state-owned Zimbabwe Power Company.
The development later became embroiled in prolonged legal disputes.
He also faced scrutiny over the supply of election materials during Zimbabwe’s controversial 2023 polls.
However, the country’s anti-corruption commission ended its investigation in 2025, saying it had found no evidence connecting Chivayo or the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to misconduct.
Known publicly as “Sir Wicknell”, he was never formally awarded a British knighthood.
He regularly attracted attention for presenting expensive vehicles and substantial financial gifts to musicians, religious figures and other prominent personalities.
Chivayo was also known for his relationships with influential African leaders and frequently shared photographs of meetings with presidents and senior officials across the continent.
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa expressed shock over the deaths, saying he had met Chivayo only a day earlier following a cabinet meeting.
He described the businessman as deeply charitable and said his family’s generosity had benefited many people.
Kenyan President William Ruto, who had developed a friendship with Chivayo, also expressed condolences. He described him as a close friend and praised his enthusiasm and belief in Africa’s potential.
Chivayo’s frequent appearances alongside African leaders, including Kenya’s Ruto, Zambia’s Hakainde Hichilema, South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa, Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Hassan and Eswatini’s King Mswati III, had previously attracted public and political scrutiny.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong