Zimbabwe Businessman Wicknell Chivayo, Wife Die in Fatal Helicopter Crash
Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy Muteke, are among six people who died after a private helicopter crashed in Mashonaland East Province.
The aircraft went down at about 5pm on Wednesday in the Marondera rural area, east of Harare, with six people aboard, according to Zimbabwean authorities.
Family spokesman Herbert Chivayo confirmed that the businessman and his wife were among those killed in the accident.
He said the couple had been travelling with four other people when the helicopter crashed.
“We are at a loss for words after the tragic news,” Herbert said, according to the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation.
Government spokesperson Nick Mangwana was among the officials who confirmed the incident, saying the helicopter was carrying a high-profile businessman, other passengers and two pilots.
“Current information indicates that there were no survivors in this crash,” Mangwana said in a statement posted on X.
Police spokesman Paul Nyathi also confirmed that six people were aboard the aircraft when it crashed in the Marondera area.
Authorities did not immediately release the names of the other victims as police and other officials worked at the crash site.
Chivayo was a prominent figure in Zimbabwe’s business community and was widely known for his extravagant lifestyle and public appearances.
His profile also extended into political circles through his reported association with President Emmerson Mnangagwa and links to the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF).
His death has attracted significant attention in Zimbabwe, where he was a familiar figure in business, political and social circles.
Authorities have begun investigating the accident to determine what caused the helicopter to crash.
Officials are expected to provide further details as the investigation continues and the identities of all the victims are formally established.
