Zimbabwean Businessman Wicknell Chivayo and Wife Die in Helicopter Crash
Prominent figure Wicknell Chivayo and his wife Lucy Muteke were among six killed when their helicopter crashed in a rural area east of Harare.
Prominent Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy Muteke, were killed along with four others in a helicopter crash on Wednesday evening in the Marondera rural area, approximately 70 kilometers (43 miles) east of the capital, Harare. All six individuals on board the aircraft died.
Family spokesperson Herbert Chivayo confirmed the deaths to state broadcaster ZBC, describing the family as devastated.
The helicopter crashed at approximately 5:00 PM local time (3:00 PM GMT) at Kudenga Farm. The group was reportedly traveling from Gandami in Chikomba, where Chivayo and his wife were constructing a rural home. The flight had been airborne for about 40 minutes.
Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi stated that investigations into the cause of the crash are underway. Two of the six occupants were pilots.
Chivayo, managing director of Intratrek Zimbabwe, was a public figure known for his lavish lifestyle, close associations with several African presidents, and lucrative government contracts, which frequently drew scrutiny. He consistently denied allegations of wrongdoing related to his business dealings.
Among his notable ventures was a $172 million solar power project in Gwanda awarded to Intratrek by the Zimbabwe Power Company, which became the subject of protracted legal disputes. Chivayo also faced scrutiny over the procurement of materials for Zimbabwe's 2023 elections. An investigation by Zimbabwe's anti-corruption commission into allegations surrounding contracts awarded to South African company Ren-Form concluded in 2025 without finding evidence linking Chivayo or the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to wrongdoing.
Widely known as "Sir Wicknell," Chivayo often publicized his wealth and connections on social media, including photographs of meetings with leaders such as Kenya's President William Ruto, Zambia's Hakainde Hichilema, South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa, Tanzania's Samia Suluhu Hassan, and Eswatini's King Mswati III. Ruto paid tribute to Chivayo, calling him a "dear friend."