Zimbabwean billionaire Chivayo, wife killed in helicopter crash
by Moronfolu Adeyemi · The Eagle OnlineZimbabwean billionaire and 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 east of Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare, on Wednesday evening.
According to the BBC, Zimbabwean police said the aircraft had six occupants and crashed at about 5pm local time, with government officials later confirming that there were no survivors.
Family spokesperson Herbert Chivayo confirmed the deaths of the businessman and his wife to Zimbabwe’s state broadcaster, ZBC.
He said: “We are at a loss for words after the tragic news.”
According to ZBC, the couple were travelling from Gandami in Chikomba, where they were building a rural home, when the helicopter crashed at Kudenga Farm about 40 minutes after take-off.
The cause of the crash was not immediately known, while police said investigations were underway.
Zimbabwean government spokesman Nick Mangwana had earlier confirmed the crash, saying the helicopter was carrying “a prominent businessman, three other passengers and two pilots”.
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Mangwana said: “Current information indicates that there were no survivors in this crash.”
Chivayo was the managing director of Intratrek Zimbabwe and became widely known for his lavish lifestyle, philanthropy and high-profile connections across Africa.
One of his best-known business ventures was a $172 million solar power project in Gwanda, awarded to Intratrek by the state-owned Zimbabwe Power Company. The project subsequently became the subject of years of legal disputes.
He also faced scrutiny over the procurement of materials for Zimbabwe’s disputed 2023 elections.
The country’s anti-corruption commission investigated allegations involving 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.
Chivayo also gained attention for giving luxury cars and large sums of money to musicians, religious leaders and other public figures, with many of the gifts publicised on social media.
His connections extended beyond Zimbabwe, with Kenyan President William Ruto describing him as a “dear friend” in a condolence message following his death.
Ruto said: “I will remember him for his friendship, his energy and his deep conviction in the possibilities of our continent.”
Chivayo frequently shared photographs of meetings with African leaders, including Zambia’s Hakainde Hichilema, South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa, Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Hassan and Eswatini’s King Mswati III.
Authorities are continuing investigations into the cause of the crash and the identities of the other victims.
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