Photos of Wicknell Chivayo’s Ex-wife at His Funeral Spark Reactions: “The Face Tells She’s Grieving”

• Sonja Madzikanda and her mother joined mourners at the Chivayo family home in Gletwin, Harare, to pay their respects
• Wicknell Chivayo and his wife Lucy died in a helicopter crash near Marondera on 30 September 2026
• Sonja had a turbulent legal history with Chivayo before his death, including a bitter divorce filing and criminal charges

Sonja Madzikanda, the estranged ex-wife of Zimbabwean millionaire Wicknell Chivayo, showed up at his family home in Gletwin, Harare, alongside her mother to pay their last respects. The visit has drawn widespread attention, given the pair's very public and acrimonious separation.

Chivayo, who would have turned 46 in November, died on Wednesday evening, 30 September 2026, when the helicopter he was travelling in crashed in rural Marondera at around 5 PM. His wife, Lucy, also perished in the accident, confirmed family spokesman Herbert Chivayo.

Sonja Madzikanda and Wicknell Chivayo's rocky history

The relationship between Sonja and Chivayo had been anything but smooth in the months leading up to his death. At the time of the crash, Sonja had an active divorce filing in Zimbabwe's High Court Family Division, in which she was demanding a $25 million lump sum settlement, $40,000 in monthly spousal maintenance, $1 million annually for holidays and lifestyle expenses, prime properties in both Harare and Johannesburg, and a fleet of seven luxury vehicles, including three Rolls-Royces.

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Earlier in May 2026, both Sonja and her mother, Thabitha Madzikanda, spent time in police custody over separate allegations linked to Chivayo. Sonja faced contempt of court charges related to a High Court order governing access to their two minor children, while Thabitha, an FBC Bank executive, faced fraud allegations after she allegedly attempted to withdraw $1.4 million from a trust account belonging to Chivayo's children.

There were also allegations that Thabitha had used artificial intelligence to manipulate images to suggest that Chivayo had met South African President Cyril Ramaphosa before their actual encounter during Ramaphosa's official visit to Zimbabwe. Chivayo reportedly told police the images were fabricated to cause political damage and harm his business interests in South Africa.

Chivayo eventually withdrew all charges against both women, saying he forgave Sonja because she is the mother of his children.

See the photos of Sonja Madzikanda and her mother at Wicknell Chivayo's funeral below:

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Wicknell Chivayo's children also made an appearance at his funeral following an earlier revelation that they are receiving counselling. See the photos by clicking the link.

Peeps react after Wicknell Chivayo's ex-wife attends funeral

The sight of Sonja and her mother at the funeral drew a range of reactions on social media. See the original post that sparked the conversation.

Tadiwanashee Jacob Karoro offered a cultural perspective:

"Traditionally, Sonja and her mom are still daughter-in-law and mother-in-law to Chivayos. Sonja can perform the duties of a daughter-in-law because she has children with the deceased."

Petronella Chirinda focused on the children, asking:

"How's she going to comfort the kids 💔"

Charlie Map read the emotion on Sonja's face, writing:

"The face tells me she's grieving."

Jay Ginelle was more cynical:

"Well, if she didn't go, the social media warriors will say she did it. So just tick that box and wait to cash in your coins."

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Mourners gather at Wicknell Chivayo’s family home following his death, Zimbabweans debate his legacy

Doc Suli took a more compassionate view:

"They were married and had kids together. It's very understandable and mature of her🙏🙏🙏"

Jackie Phamotse analyses Wicknell Chivayo’s movements

Meanwhile, Briefly News reported that Jackie Phamotse posted a cryptic analysis of Wicknell Chivayo's behaviour in the days leading up to his death.

Chivayo and his wife Lucy died in a helicopter crash near Marondera, Zimbabwe, on 30 September 2026.

Source: Briefly News