Flamboyant Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo, who tragically died in a helicopter crash on September 30, 2026, has had his custom-built Rolls-Royce Phantom, valued at an estimated KSh 72 million, arrive in Harare. The ultra-luxury vehicle touched down on October 23, 2026, a full 15 days after Chivayo was laid to rest alongside his wife Lucy Muteke. The car’s arrival has sparked considerable conversation online, adding a striking postscript to the tycoon’s controversial legacy.
The Rolls-Royce, built entirely to Chivayo’s personal specifications, was intended to be the crown jewel of his already staggering fleet. International transit delays meant the vehicle was still en route at the time of his death, with final customs clearance only completed posthumously. His passing, which also claimed the lives of his wife and four others in the Marondera District, has brought mounting legal and financial complications to his estate, including outstanding debts to luxury car dealerships amounting to roughly US$5.1 million.
Key Players Involved
- Wicknell Chivayo: Deceased Zimbabwean businessman and socialite, known for his lavish lifestyle and government contracts.
- Lucy Muteke: Chivayo’s late wife, who also perished in the helicopter crash.
- International Car Dealers: Reportedly owed substantial sums by Chivayo’s estate for other luxury vehicles.
Event Timeline
- September 30, 2026: Wicknell Chivayo and his wife Lucy Muteke die in a helicopter crash in Marondera District.
- October 8, 2026: Chivayo and Muteke are buried at Sahwira Glen Forest Memorial Park in Harare.
- October 23, 2026: The KSh 72 million custom-built Rolls-Royce Phantom arrives in Harare.
- October 25, 2026: News of the car’s arrival widely reported, fueling public discussion.
