Prominent Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy Muteke, have died in a helicopter crash in Zimbabwe. The tragic incident happened on Wednesday evening in Marondera, about 70km east of Harare. Police said six people died in the crash.
Family spokesperson Herbert Chivayo confirmed the couple’s deaths to Zimbabwe’s state broadcaster, ZBC.
“We are at a loss for words after the tragic news,” he said.
The 43-year-old businessman and his wife were reportedly travelling from Gandami in Chikomba, where they were building a rural home.
What Happened to Wicknell Chivayo?
The helicopter crashed at Kudenga Farm around 5pm local time, about 40 minutes after take-off. Police said two of the people on board were pilots. Government officials later confirmed that there were no survivors.
Authorities have yet to establish what caused the accident. However, aviation officials have recovered the helicopter’s black box and started examining the crash site. George Mashababe, director general of the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe, said fuel spilled after the impact and caused a fire.
“The cause of the crash is yet to be ascertained,” Mashababe said.
Investigators will now examine the aircraft and other evidence to determine what happened before the crash.
Wicknell Chivayo’s Lavish Lifestyle and Business
Chivayo headed Intratrek Zimbabwe and built a huge public profile through business, philanthropy and social media. He was widely known as “Sir Wicknell”, although he never received a British knighthood.
The businessman often showed off his lavish lifestyle online. He also became famous for giving luxury cars and large sums of money to musicians, religious leaders and other public figures. His extravagant gifts frequently attracted attention across Africa.
However, Chivayo’s business dealings also faced public scrutiny. One of his biggest ventures was a $172 million solar power project in Gwanda. Intratrek received the project from the state-owned Zimbabwe Power Company, but the deal later faced years of legal disputes.
Chivayo also faced scrutiny over contracts linked to Zimbabwe’s disputed 2023 elections. The country’s anti-corruption commission investigated the matter before closing the inquiry in 2025. It said it found no evidence linking Chivayo or the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to wrongdoing.
African Leaders Mourn Chivayo
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has joined those mourning the businessman. Mnangagwa said he met Chivayo just one day before his death, when they discussed the businessman’s plans for Zimbabwe.
The president described Chivayo as “consummately philanthropic” and said his death had left him “personally numbed” and in “great shock”.
Kenyan President William Ruto also paid tribute to Chivayo. Ruto called him a “dear friend” and praised his friendship and belief in Africa’s potential.
Chivayo frequently shared photos of his meetings with African leaders. His public appearances included Zambia’s Hakainde Hichilema, South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa, Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Hassan and Eswatini’s King Mswati III.
As investigations continue, authorities are yet to determine what caused the helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Chivayo, his wife and the other people on board.
