Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo, known for his lavish lifestyle and political connections, has died alongside his wife, Lucy Muteke, and four others in a helicopter crash. The private helicopter crashed in a rural area east of Harare on Wednesday. State broadcaster ZBC reported that the group had departed from Gandami, Chivayo’s rural hometown where he and his wife were constructing a home.
The crash site, near Marondera, about 70km southeast of Harare, saw no survivors. Preliminary findings from the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) indicate that fuel spilled on impact, leading to a fire that engulfed the surrounding grass. Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the crash.
Key Players Involved
- Wicknell Chivayo: Prominent Zimbabwean businessman, founder of Intratrek Zimbabwe, involved in major energy projects.
- Lucy Muteke: Wife of Wicknell Chivayo, also tragically killed in the crash.
- President Emmerson Mnangagwa: Expressed deep shock and grief, highlighting Chivayo’s close ties to the ruling party and government.
- Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona: Expected to visit the crash site as part of the ongoing inquiry.
- George Mashababe: Director-General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe, provided initial findings on the crash.
Event Timeline
- Wednesday, September 30, 2026: Helicopter crash occurs, killing all six occupants.
- Thursday, October 1, 2026: News of the tragedy breaks, with initial reports and ongoing investigations by forensic experts and aviation authorities.
