Zimbabwean Businessman Wicknell Chivayo Dies in Helicopter Crash
Prominent Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy Muteke, have died after a helicopter carrying six people crashed in the Marondera Rural area of Mashonaland East on Wednesday evening.
The aircraft went down at about 5pm near Waddilove Mission, east of Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare. Authorities said there were no survivors from the crash.
Chivayo’s death was confirmed by his family, with family spokesperson Herbert Chivayo telling local media that the family was devastated by the tragedy.
Zimbabwean government spokesperson Nick Mangwana also confirmed that the aircraft was carrying a high-profile businessman, three other passengers and two pilots. Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi separately confirmed that six people were aboard the aircraft.
Authorities have not yet released the full identities of the other victims. Police said the crash caused a fire and that efforts were under way to formally identify those who died. An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident is expected to follow.
Chivayo, who was widely known in Zimbabwe for his high-profile business activities and public presence, had also attracted attention in Namibia in 2024 following controversy surrounding the printing of ballot papers for that year’s presidential and National Assembly elections.
The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) awarded the ballot-printing contract to Johannesburg-based Ren-Form CC after cancelling an earlier open international bidding process. The contract was worth about N$6.3 million.
At the time, political parties and other commentators raised questions about alleged links between Ren-Form and Chivayo. However, the ECN rejected allegations of wrongdoing, while Ren-Form also publicly denied having ties to Chivayo.
Further details on the crash and the identities of the remaining victims are expected as authorities continue their investigation.
About the Author
Aneli Fura is a Senior Editor at The Updated World, where he oversees and contributes to general news coverage across Namibia. His reporting focuses on crime, accidents, local developments, and other important stories affecting communities across the country.
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