Zimbabwean millionaire businessman Wicknell Chivayo, along with his wife Lucy Muteke and four others, tragically died in a helicopter crash on September 30, 2026. The private helicopter went down in the Marondera rural area, approximately 70 km east of Harare, at around 5 PM local time. The incident has sent shockwaves across Zimbabwe and beyond, leading to widespread mourning, but also sparking controversial public reactions.
Social media platforms have been abuzz with discussions surrounding the tragedy. Notably, an old tweet by Zimbabwean activist Susan Mutami, predicting Chivayo’s death in a plane crash, resurfaced and went viral, adding a layer of eerie speculation to the event. Adding to the complexity of public sentiment, footage emerged showing students at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) in Bulawayo celebrating the news of Chivayo’s death, prompting fierce debate across social media about the appropriateness of such reactions.
In a deeply emotional moment, Prophet Walter Magaya of PHD Ministries in Harare struggled to maintain composure as he announced the unconfirmed reports of the crash to his congregation on Wednesday evening. He revealed having spoken to Chivayo just hours before the service, underscoring the suddenness of the loss.
Key Players Involved
- Wicknell Chivayo: Prominent Zimbabwean businessman who died in the crash.
- Lucy Muteke: Chivayo’s wife, also killed in the helicopter accident.
- Susan Mutami: Zimbabwean activist whose old tweet predicting Chivayo’s death went viral.
- NUST Students: Students at the National University of Science and Technology who were filmed celebrating Chivayo’s death, sparking controversy.
- Prophet Walter Magaya: Leader of PHD Ministries, who emotionally announced Chivayo’s death to his congregation.
Event Timeline
- September 30, 2026, ~5:00 PM (local time): Helicopter carrying Wicknell Chivayo, his wife, and four others crashes in Marondera rural area.
- October 1, 2026: News of the crash spreads, old tweets resurface, NUST student reactions go viral, and Prophet Magaya makes an emotional announcement in church.
