Prominent Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy Muteke, died in a helicopter crash that was fatal to six people.
The helicopter crashed in the Marondera rural area in the early evening on Wednesday, 70 kilometres east of Harare. Police said all six people on board died in the crash. A family spokesperson, Herbert Chivayo, confirmed the deaths of Chivayo and his wife to Zimbabwe’s state broadcaster, ZBC.
He said the family was heartbroken by the tragedy. Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the aircraft crashed around 17:00 local time. Officials said two of the six people on board were pilots. Government spokesman Nick Mangwana said the helicopter was carrying a prominent businessman, three other passengers and two pilots.
He later said there were no survivors. The group had travelled from Gandami in Chikomba, where Chivayo and his wife were building a rural home. The helicopter crashed near Kudenga Farm about 40 minutes after taking off. The cause of the crash was not immediately known. Police said investigations were under way, while emergency services were sent to the scene.
Chivayo was the managing director of Intratrek Zimbabwe and had gained a high public profile through government contracts, philanthropy and social media displays of wealth.
His business dealings had attracted scrutiny over the years, despite him denying allegations of wrongdoing. Among his major projects was a $172 million solar power project in Gwanda, awarded to Intratrek by the state-owned Zimbabwe Power Company. The project became embroiled in years of legal disputes.
Chivayo was also scrutinised over the procurement of materials for Zimbabwe’s disputed 2023 elections. The country’s anti-corruption commission investigated allegations involving contracts awarded to South African company Ren-Form.
The commission closed the inquiry in 2025, saying it found no evidence linking Chivayo or the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to wrongdoing. Known publicly as “Sir Wicknell”, Chivayo often used the title on social media, although he was never actually knighted by the British.
He was also renowned for giving luxury cars and large sums of money to musicians, religious leaders and other public figures. Chivayo’s connections also extended to international leaders. Kenyan President William Ruto, who had previously appeared publicly with him, described Chivayo as a “dear friend” in a tribute.
He said he would remember Chivayo for his friendship, energy and belief in Africa’s possibilities. Chivayo had also publicly announced meetings with several African leaders, including Zambia’s Hakainde Hichilema, South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa and Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Hassan. He had also met Eswatini’s King Mswati III.
