Zimbabwe helicopter crash kills Wicknell Chivayo and wife in Marondera

A helicopter carrying six people crashed in Marondera, with officials saying no one survived. State media said businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife were among the dead, intensifying attention on the tragedy.

In Short

• The helicopter went down in Marondera district, southeast of Harare
• Four passengers and two crew members were aboard, officials confirmed
• Government said initial information indicated nobody survived the fiery crash

A helicopter carrying six people crashed in rural Zimbabwe on Wednesday, and officials said it appeared there were no survivors. State media later reported that those killed included prominent businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife Lucy Muteke.

The crash took place in the Marondera district, southeast of Harare, according to police. Government spokesperson Nick Mangwana said four passengers and two crew members were on board the helicopter.

Posting on X, Mangwana said the passengers included a high-profile businessman. “Current information indicates that there were no survivors in this crash,” he said. Mangwana and the police did not immediately identify those on board, with the police saying more details would be shared later.

Police spokesperson Paul Nyathi said efforts were under way to identify the victims. “They were burned, there was a fire, and we will be trying to identify the people,” he said. “As we speak, responders are at the site, and we will then be able to give more updates.”

State broadcaster ZBC News, quoting a family spokesperson, reported that Chivayo and his wife were among the dead. Chivayo, 43, was known in Zimbabwe for his close ties to President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the ruling political establishment. He often posted on social media about private dinners and meetings with regional leaders, including South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa, Kenya’s William Ruto, Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Hassan and Eswatini’s King Mswati III. He was also known for giving vehicles and cash to celebrities, church leaders, politicians, followers and even social media users who praised his posts or Mnangagwa.

His business dealings and political connections had also drawn scrutiny and allegations linked to public procurement and election financing in Zimbabwe and neighbouring countries, which he denied. Officials said responders remained at the crash site, while the authorities worked to identify the victims and gather more details about the incident.

With PTI Inputs

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