Zimbabwe tycoon Wicknell Chivayo and wife killed in helicopter crash
Chivayo was known for his lavish lifestyle, close ties to African presidents and lucrative government contracts.
Zimbabwe tycoon Wicknell Chivayo and wife killed in helicopter crash
Wicknell Chivayo was a well-known businessman recognized for his lavish way of life
Prominent Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife have died in a helicopter crash that killed six people, his family has confirmed.
The helicopter went down in the Marondera rural area, around 70km (43 miles) east of the capital, Harare, on Wednesday evening. Police said everyone aboard the aircraft died.
Family spokesman Herbert Chivayo confirmed to state broadcaster ZBC that the businessman and his wife, Lucy Muteke, had died, saying the family was devastated by the tragedy.
Chivayo was known for his opulent lifestyle, close links to several African presidents and profitable government contracts that had repeatedly drawn scrutiny.
He denied accusations of wrongdoing connected to his business activities.
Police spokesman Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the aircraft crashed at about 17:00 local time (15:00 GMT) and carried six people, though authorities did not immediately name all of them. Government officials said two of the six were pilots.
ZBC reported that the group was travelling from Gandami in Chikomba, where Chivayo and his wife were constructing a rural home, when the helicopter crashed at Kudenga Farm about 40 minutes after take-off.
"We are at a loss for words after the tragic news," the family spokesman told ZBC.
The cause of the crash was not immediately known, and police said investigations were under way. Emergency services were dispatched to the scene on Wednesday evening.
Earlier, government spokesman Nick Mangwana confirmed the crash, saying the helicopter was carrying "a prominent businessman, three other passengers and two pilots".
"Current information indicates that there were no survivors in this crash," Mangwana posted on X.
Chivayo was the managing director of Intratrek Zimbabwe and had gained a high public profile through government contracts, philanthropy and displays of wealth on social media.
One of his best-known business ventures was a $172m (£128m) solar power project in Gwanda awarded to Intratrek by the state-owned Zimbabwe Power Company. The project later became the subject of years of legal disputes.
He also came under scrutiny over the procurement of materials for Zimbabwe's disputed 2023 elections. Zimbabwe's anti-corruption commission investigated allegations involving contracts awarded to South African company Ren-Form but closed the inquiry in 2025, saying it found no evidence linking Chivayo or the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to wrongdoing.
Chivayo was also known for handing out luxury cars and large sums of money to musicians, religious leaders and other public figures, often sharing the gifts on social media.
His ties extended beyond Zimbabwe.
Kenya's President William Ruto, who had previously appeared in public with Chivayo, called him a "dear friend" and offered condolences to the families of those killed.
"I will remember him for his friendship, his energy and his deep conviction in the possibilities of our continent," Ruto added.
He often highlighted his access to African leaders, posting photos of meetings with presidents including Zambia's Hakainde Hichilema, South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa and Tanzania's Samia Suluhu Hassan, as well as Eswatini's King Mswati III.