Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy “Lulu” Muteke, have died in a helicopter crash in Marondera, Mashonaland East, in a tragedy that has sent shockwaves across Zimbabwe.
The helicopter crashed in the Marondera Rural area at around 5 p.m. on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. Zimbabwean authorities confirmed that there were no survivors.
Government spokesperson Nick Mangwana said the aircraft was carrying a high-profile businessman, other passengers and two pilots. Police were dispatched to the crash site as authorities began efforts to establish the identities of those on board.
Although the government initially withheld the names of the victims pending formal identification, Chivayo’s family later confirmed his death. Family spokesperson Herbert Chivayo confirmed to Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation that Chivayo and his wife were among those killed.
Chivayo was one of Zimbabwe’s most prominent businessmen and was widely known for his lavish lifestyle, high-profile business dealings and connections to major government-linked projects.
His public profile had also extended beyond Zimbabwe. In recent years, Chivayo became increasingly visible in Kenya, where he was photographed and publicly associated with President William Ruto and other prominent figures. His business interests had also attracted attention in connection with proposed infrastructure projects in Kenya.
The circumstances surrounding Wednesday’s crash remain unclear. Authorities have not yet announced what caused the helicopter to go down, and investigations are expected to establish the circumstances leading to the accident.
The death of Chivayo and his wife marks a sudden end to the life of a businessman whose public profile had made him one of Zimbabwe’s most recognisable and closely followed figures.
Further details, including the identities of the other victims and the findings of the crash investigation, are expected from Zimbabwean authorities.
