Zimbabwean Politician Sparks Backlash After Criticising Those Celebrating Wicknell Chivayo’s Death
- Zimbabwean politician Chalton Hwende weighed in on the comments surfacing online after Wicknell Chivayo's death
- The Zimbabwean millionaire and his wife passed away in a helicopter crash that also claimed the lives of four other people
- Hwende's appeal to Ubuntu values drew fierce backlash from Zimbabweans who cited Chivayo's alleged looting of state resources
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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 — Chalton Hwende has drawn fierce criticism after calling out Zimbabweans who celebrated the death of controversial millionaire Wicknell Chivayo.
Chivayo was killed in a helicopter crash along with his wife and four others on 30 September 2026. The private helicopter they were travelling in crashed at about 5 pm at Kudenga Farm in the Marondera rural area, roughly 70 km east of Harare.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Hwende, a Kuwadzana East Member of Parliament, questioned why many were celebrating Chivayo's death. He described it as un-African and against Ubuntu.
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Chivayo was one of Zimbabwe's most recognisable and polarising public figures. Known for his flashy lifestyle and close ties to the ruling party, he frequently made headlines for donating millions to churches, celebrities, and public causes.
Critics, however, accused him of enriching himself through State contracts and displaying his wealth while ordinary Zimbabweans bore the brunt of the country's prolonged economic hardship.
Public reacts to Hwende's post
The responses to Hwende's post were largely unsympathetic, with many users arguing that the celebrations were a direct consequence of how Chivayo conducted himself in life.
@TereraiSithole wrote:
"Mhofu…The problem is that you are asking people to show Ubuntu in his death, yet he chose not to live by that during his days alive."
@Taffy_Mug responded:
"Very un-African to self enrich yourself in a poverty stricken society."
@MlokengMbethe stated:
"A criminal who poses as a businessman while stealing money that should be used to improve the lives of Zimbabwean citizens deserves that. Many Zimbabweans continue to suffer because of corruption, greed, and the failure of those in power to put the people first."
@LiamPiti_7 said:
"What kind of people loot State funds and rub it in our faces? It's satanic."
@zimrobbie cited scripture, noting:
"Proverbs 11:10 notes that 'when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy'."
@MightiJamie posed the question:
"When the hyena dies, do the antelopes cry?"
@mufudzi_ added:
"It's 'un-African' to loot and cause deaths of many people. Get out of here."
Chivayo's children were not on board the helicopter
Briefly News also reported that Chivayo's two children from his previous marriage were confirmed safe and were not aboard the doomed aircraft.
The Zimbabwean millionaire and his new wife, Lucy, died in the helicopter crash near Marondera on Wednesday, 30 September 2026.
The crash, which occurred at around 5 pm, also claimed the lives of two crew members and two other individuals.
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Source: Briefly News
