Mourners Gather at Wicknell Chivayo’s Family Home Following His Death, Zimbabweans Debate His Legacy
- Mourners, including church members and family, gathered at the Chivayo family home in Borrowdale, Harare
- Wicknell Chivayo and his wife Lucy Muteke died when their helicopter crashed in the Marondera area on 30 September 2026
- Social media users weighed in on the footage from the funeral home, sharing mixed reactions to the news
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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 — Mourners have gathered at the Chivayo family home in Borrowdale, Harare, to pay their respects to prominent businessman and philanthropist Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy Muteke, following their deaths.
The couple were among five people killed in a helicopter crash on 30 September 2026. The other victims were identified as Senelisiwe Magagula, Captain Kelvin T Soda, and Captain Courage Mutavirwa.
The couple had been visiting Gandami in Chikomba District before departing for Harare when their helicopter came down in the Marondera area, killing all on board. The couple's remains were taken to their family homestead in Borrowdale, and not their mansion in Gletwyn, where they stayed.
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Larger-than-life businessman remembered
ZBC News broadcast live from the homestead, where church members dressed in white robes, family, and close associates gathered in the couple's living room as the reality of the tragedy set in.
The ZBC correspondent on the scene described Chivayo, widely known as "Sir Wicknell," as a figure whose influence stretched across the continent.
"His character was indeed larger than life," the reporter noted.
She added that Chivayo was known to leaders at the highest levels of government as well as ordinary citizens, with musicians, comedians and children among those said to have benefited from his philanthropic work.
How did social media users react?
The broadcast drew a range of responses on social media.
@LegalAssist5 wrote:
"In life we fight, but in death we don't rejoice. Rest easy, son. You're forgiven."
@charlesprincezw added:
"Death is inevitable for all of us; only the time and the manner differ. It is sad to see people celebrating the passing of Sir Wicknell. None of us is perfect, and tomorrow belongs to no one. Rest in Peace, Muno."
Not all reactions were sympathetic.
@FrankChihombori questioned the coverage, writing:
"Why a live broadcast of a funeral for a convicted fraudster? He isn't a Sir."
@Gushaz28 took issue with ZBC's priorities:
"You guys can't broadcast live soccer matches, but you are giving us minute-by-minute updates on events around Chigananda's funeral. Blerry nonsense, we pay for these licenses."
Others raised questions about the location of the mourning.
@BigThemba83 asked:
"Why are they gathered in Borrowdale instead of Gletwyn, where he stayed? Is it true that his place of residence is barricaded?"
@redtuli234 echoed the sentiment:
"You forgot the most important part of the story. They are gathered in Gerystone Park, not at his official residence in Gletwyn. Why? That is the story."
@dextertawona offered a different view, stating:
"My opinion is that he deserves to be declared a national hero."
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 one other individual.
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Source: Briefly News
