Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo, who died alongside his wife in a helicopter crash near Marondera on Wednesday. Image credit Supplied
Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy Muteke, have died in a helicopter crash near Marondera, east of Harare. The aircraft went down at about 17:00 on Wednesday, and all six people on board died.
According to journalist Hopewell Chin’ono, Chief Government Spokesperson Nick Mangwana confirmed that nobody survived the crash. So far, authorities have not named the other four victims.
In addition, officials have not said what caused the crash. An investigation is expected to follow.
Who was Wicknell Chivayo
Chivayo was 45 years old. He was born in Chivhu in November 1980, and many of his admirers called him Sir Wicknell.
He built his fortune largely through government contracts. His best known company, Intratrek Zimbabwe, won the contract for the Gwanda Solar Project, a major state power deal. More recently, in June this year, one of his companies secured a stake in a large infrastructure project in Kenya.
However, his business dealings often drew scrutiny. Authorities arrested him in 2011 on fraud and money laundering charges. Later, he faced prosecution over advance payments for the Gwanda Solar Project. After years in court, he was acquitted in 2024. Then in December 2025, the Zimbabwe Anti Corruption Commission said it found no evidence directly linking him to another transaction it investigated.
Chivayo was also an open supporter of the ruling ZANU PF party. Critics argued that he benefited from his closeness to government, while supporters praised his generosity.
Furthermore, he kept a very public profile. He often showed off luxury cars and gave expensive gifts to musicians, journalists and sports teams. His posts on social media regularly drew attention across Zimbabwe and beyond.
News of his death spread quickly on social media on Wednesday evening, with many Zimbabweans expressing shock.
For now, Zimbabwe waits for more details about the crash that claimed the lives of Wicknell Chivayo, his wife and four others.