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Zimbabwe Tycoon Wicknell Chivayo and Wife Killed in Helicopter Crash
Confirmed
In Short: Wicknell Chivayo, a wealthy Zimbabwean tycoon, and his wife, Lucy Muteke, were among six people killed in a helicopter crash near Marondera, about 70km east of Harare, on Wednesday evening.
The crash occurred approximately 40 minutes after takeoff from Gandami, a rural area in Chikomba district, where Chivayo and his wife were building a home.
Chivayo, founder of Intratrek Zimbabwe, was known for his involvement in major energy projects, including the Gwanda solar project.
Herbert Chivayo, a family spokesman, confirmed the deaths, stating, 'Yes, we confirm that Wicknell Chivayo and his wife have perished in this tragedy.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe reported that the helicopter's tail hit the ground first, followed by a fire that burned the grass at the crash site.
Transport Minister Felix Mhona and aviation officials arrived at the crash site on Thursday to begin investigations, recovering the aircraft's black box.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa expressed shock and grief over Chivayo's death, describing him as 'consummately philanthropic' and saying his family had 'touched so many lives' through acts of charity and generosity.
Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said there were no survivors in the crash, and investigations into the cause were ongoing.
Chivayo had recently been granted Eswatini citizenship and a diplomatic passport, and had announced plans for a 300MW solar project in the Southern African kingdom.
What this adds
The Zimbabwean anti-corruption commission had previously investigated allegations surrounding contracts awarded to South African company Ren-Form but found no evidence linking Chivayo to wrongdoing.
What's confirmed
- Herbert Chivayo, a spokesperson for the family, confirmed the deaths to ZBC.
- Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the aircraft crashed at about 17:00 local time (15:00 GMT) and had six occupants.
- ZBC reported that the group was travelling from Gandami in Chikomba, where Chivayo and his wife were building a rural home, when the helicopter crashed at Kudenga Farm about 40 minutes after take-off.
- Earlier, government spokesman Nick Mangwana confirmed the crash, saying the helicopter was carrying “a prominent businessman, three other passengers and two pilots”.
- Zimbabwe’s anti-corruption commission investigated allegations surrounding contracts awarded to South African company Ren-Form but closed the inquiry in 2025, saying it had found no evidence linking Chivayo or the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to wrongdoing.
What's still developing
- A huge helicopter crash in Zimbabwe has killed 6 people, including a wealthy millionaire tycoon.
- Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy "Lulu" Muteke, died in a crash that killed all six people on board.
- Chivayo was known as one of Zimbabwe's most high-profile businessmen.
- The tycoon had a huge social media following, and it is understood he regularly shared pictures of luxury cars and private jets with it.
- The tycoon earned his fortune through energy and infrastructure projects.
- Writing on X, he said he would remember Chivayo for his friendship, energy and belief in what the African continent could achieve.
- The high-profile businessman known for his political connections was one of six people killed in the crash.
- Wicknell Chivayo, one of Zimbabwe’s best-known businessmen, has died along with his wife, Lucy Muteke, and four others after a private helicopter crashed in a rural area east of the capital, Harare.
- The helicopter crashed about 40 minutes after takeoff at Kudenga Farm near Marondera, a town about 70km (45 miles) southeast of Harare.
- Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife Lucy Muteke die alongside four others in a helicopter crash near Harare.
- Prominent Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy Muteke, have been killed in a helicopter crash that claimed six lives.
- The helicopter crashed in the Marondera rural area, about 70km (43 miles) east of Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare, on Wednesday evening.