Zimbabwe Tycoon Chivayo Buried After Helicopter Crash

Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife have been laid to rest near Harare, a week after they died alongside four others in a helicopter crash.

Military honours at burial

Zimbabwean soldiers saluted as the couple’s coffins arrived for the burial ceremony on Thursday. Chivayo was remembered as a hardworking entrepreneur whose business interests extended beyond Zimbabwe.

Business ventures across Africa

Harare Province Minister Charles Tawengwa praised Chivayo’s ambition and philanthropic activities, saying he had pursued renewable energy and infrastructure projects across the continent. His reported engagements included Kenya, Tanzania and Eswatini, where he held discussions with regional leaders.

Tawengwa also described him as exceptionally generous, saying his donations reached people across different professions and sectors of the economy.

Influence beyond Zimbabwe

Chivayo maintained close relationships with Zimbabwe’s ruling elite, but his influence extended to other African countries. His social media posts showed him interacting with leaders in Eswatini, Kenya and Uganda.

Lavish lifestyle attracted criticism

Although Chivayo was praised by supporters for his generosity, his close connections to Zimbabwe’s ruling party also attracted criticism. The 43-year-old became widely known for giving luxury vehicles and large sums of cash to associates during highly publicised events.

His extravagant lifestyle and high-profile gifts drew comparisons with the economic difficulties faced by many ordinary Zimbabweans.