Zimbabwean Businessman Wicknell Chivayo Dies As Helicopter Crash Claims Six Lives in Marondera
- Zimbabwean millionaire businessman Wicknell Chivayo was involved in a helicopter crash which claimed the lives of six people
- His wife, Lucy Muteke, was also among the six occupants on board the aircraft, with no survivors reported from the crash
- Zimbabwe Republic Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the crash occurred, with further details to follow
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Source: Twitter
Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.
ZIMBABWE — Prominent Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo (43) died on Wednesday evening after a private helicopter crashed in the Marondera Rural area, killing all six people on board.
Family spokesperson Herbert Chivayo confirmed the deaths of the businessman and his wife, Lucy Muteke, saying the family was at a loss for words following the tragedy.
Zimbabwe Republic Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi also confirmed the incident, stating that the aircraft went down at approximately 1700 hours.
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Circumstances of the crash under investigation
Authorities had not released further details about the cause of the crash at the time of publication, with police indicating that the scene was still being attended to. The names of the remaining four passengers on board had not yet been officially confirmed.
The crash was first reported by Zimbabwean news outlet ZimLive on X (formerly Twitter), which described the incident as involving six occupants with no survivors. The government then officially confirmed the crash as well.
Chivayo was a high-profile figure
Chivayo was one of Zimbabwe's most high-profile businessmen, widely known for his close ties to the ruling ZANU-PF party and his involvement in several government contracts, most notably the Gwanda solar power project.
He attracted significant public attention in recent years through his frequent gifting of luxury vehicles to political allies, entertainers, and church leaders, making him a polarising but widely recognised figure in the country. He recently unveiled a R50m Eswatini mansion, weeks after splurging R160m on a Clifton purchase.
Wicknell Chivayo celebrates Emmerson's new law
In a previous report from Briefly News, Wicknell Chivayo, aka Sir Wicknell, was allegedly celebrating President Emmerson Mnangagwa's highly controversial new law extending his presidential term.
He celebrated on a private jet while showing off Hermès luxury items, which sparked intense outrage online.
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Source: Briefly News
