Six Dead In Zimbabwe Helicopter Crash, Prominent Businessman Wicknell Chivayo Among Victims

A helicopter carrying six people crashed and burst into flames in eastern Zimbabwe, killing everyone on board, with prominent businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife Lucy Muteke among the victims, officials and the family said.

The helicopter had taken off from the Gandami area, where Chivayo was reportedly building a rural home, and crashed about 40 minutes later near Waddilove Mission in Marondera, around 70 km east of Harare. The aircraft went down at a farm in the Marondera Rural area of Mashonaland East province and caught fire after the crash.

Zimbabwean government spokesperson Nick Mangwana said there were no survivors. Police later said the victims were badly burned, making identification difficult. Emergency teams were sent to the crash site as authorities began their investigation.

The family later confirmed that Chivayo and Muteke were among those killed. Family spokesperson Herbert Chivayo confirmed their deaths to Zimbabwe's state broadcaster ZBC.

Chivayo, 43, was one of Zimbabwe's best-known businessmen and the founder of Intratrek Zimbabwe, an energy and infrastructure company. He became particularly prominent through major projects including the 100-megawatt Gwanda Solar Project, which was awarded to his company and later became embroiled in delays and disputes.

Beyond business, Chivayo had built a huge public profile through social media, where he regularly showcased luxury cars, expensive gifts and meetings with senior political figures. He was known to have close ties with Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa and had also publicly interacted with other African leaders.

His wealth, government-linked business activities and political connections had attracted scrutiny in Zimbabwe, including questions surrounding public contracts and election-related financing. Chivayo denied allegations of wrongdoing.

The exact cause of the crash remains unknown. Authorities have not said whether the helicopter suffered a mechanical problem, encountered adverse weather or experienced another difficulty before going down. Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the fatal flight.

Police have yet to formally release the identities of the other four victims.