Prominent Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy Muteke, have died after a private helicopter they were travelling in crashed in rural Marondera on Wednesday evening, September 30.
Zimbabwe’s state broadcaster, ZBC, reported that family spokesperson Herbert Chivayo confirmed the deaths, saying the family was at a loss for words following the tragedy.
The helicopter was carrying six people when it crashed in Mashonaland East province, according to Zimbabwe Republic Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi.
Police said the aircraft went down at about 5pm local time, equivalent to 6pm in Kenya, as emergency teams responded to the scene.
The Zimbabwean government said there were no survivors. “Current information indicates that there were no survivors in this crash,” the government said through spokesperson Nick Mangwana on X.
Chivayo among six aboard
ZBC reported that Chivayo was travelling in the private helicopter with five other people when it went down.
The police account puts the number of occupants at six, comprising the businessman, other passengers and two pilots. Mangwana's earlier government statement similarly listed six people — one businessman, three other passengers and two pilots.
However, Reuters quoted Mangwana as saying the aircraft carried a businessman, four other passengers and two pilots, bringing the total to seven.
The discrepancy had not been fully explained by the time of publication, although police subsequently put the number of occupants at six.
Government sends condolences
The government expressed sympathy to the families and friends of those who died.
“We extend our deepest condolences and prayers to the victims, their families, and their friends during this difficult time,” Mangwana added.
Authorities had not disclosed what caused the crash, the operator of the helicopter or its intended route.
Details of what happened shortly before the aircraft went down also remained unclear as investigations continued. Further information on the other victims and the circumstances of the crash is expected from Zimbabwean authorities.
News of Chivayo's death is expected to draw significant interest in Kenya given his highly visible close ties with President William Ruto, evidenced by repeated visits to State House and accompanying the president to several public and private engagements.
It was only in June that the government dismissed claims linking the controversial Zimbabwean businessman to the planned expansion of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), maintaining that neither the businessman nor his company took part in the procurement process.
Speaking on Thursday, June 18, Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir addressed reports suggesting that Chivayo's IMC Construction company had obtained a stake in the multi-billion-shilling airport upgrade project.
