Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo, alongside his wife Lucy Lulu Muteke, is scheduled to be laid to rest on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at Glen Forest Memorial Park in Harare. The couple tragically died in a helicopter crash on September 30, 2026, an event that sent shockwaves across the nation.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa bestowed provincial hero status upon Chivayo, recognizing his significant contributions to the ruling Zanu-PF party, religious institutions, and communities throughout Zimbabwe. This honor was announced by Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Tino Machakaire. The use of coffins for the burial is an exception to the customary practice of their Johane Masowe yeChishanu church, a detail confirmed by church leader Madzibaba Lawrence Katsiru.
The opulent lifestyle and close political ties of Chivayo, a prominent and often polarizing public figure, have been a subject of widespread discussion following his death. His daughter’s heartbreaking video, expressing her grief, has also gone viral across social media, drawing an outpouring of sympathy.
Key Players Involved
- Wicknell Chivayo: Prominent Zimbabwean businessman and political figure, granted provincial hero status.
- Lucy Lulu Muteke: Wife of Wicknell Chivayo, also deceased in the helicopter crash.
- President Emmerson Mnangagwa: Zimbabwean President who granted Chivayo provincial hero status.
- Herbert Chivayo: Family spokesperson who confirmed burial arrangements.
Event Timeline
- September 30, 2026: Wicknell Chivayo, his wife, and three others die in a helicopter crash near Marondera.
- October 7, 2026: First images of the couple’s coffins surface, and details of the burial site at Glen Forest are revealed.
- October 8, 2026: Scheduled burial of Wicknell Chivayo and Lucy Lulu Muteke at Glen Forest Memorial Park.
