Zimbabwe tycoon Wicknell Chivayo and wife killed in helicopter crash

1 October 2026, 07: 26 BST. Updated 36 minutes ago.

Key points

• Among his best-known business ventures was a $172m (£128m) solar power project in Gwanda awarded to Intratrek by the state-owned Zimbabwe Power Firm.
• The helicopter came down in the Marondera rural area, regarding 70km (43 miles) east of the capital, Harare, on Wednesday evening.
• Family spokesperson Herbert Chivayo confirmed the deaths of the businessman and his wife Lucy Muteke to state broadcaster ZBC, saying the family was devastated by the tragedy.
• He additionally came under scrutiny over the procurement of materials for Zimbabwe's disputed 2023 elections.
• Although he was never given a British knighthood, widely known as "Sir Wicknell", Chivayo frequently applied the title publicly and on social media.

Prominent Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife have been killed in a helicopter crash that left six individuals dead, his family have confirmed.

For context, the helicopter came down in the Marondera rural area, regarding 70km (43 miles) east of the capital, Harare, on Wednesday evening. Police remarked all six residents on board died.

Chivayo was known for his lavish lifestyle, close ties to some African presidents and lucrative administration contracts that had repeatedly attracted scrutiny. He had denied allegations of wrongdoing linked to his business dealings.

Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi remarked the aircraft crashed at concerning 17: 00 local time (15: 00 GMT) and had six occupants, but authorities did not immediately identify all those on board. Two of the six were pilots, according to administration office-holders.

When the helicopter crashed at Kudenga Farm concerning 40 minutes after take-off, ZBC documented that the group was travelling from Gandami in Chikomba, where Chivayo and his wife were building a rural home.

"We are at a loss for words after the tragic news, " the family spokesperson, informed the ZBC.

Notably, the cause of the crash was not immediately known, and police remarked investigations were under way. Emergency services were sent to the scene on Wednesday evening.

How a self-styled knight giving away cars and wads of cash obtained residents talking.

Earlier, administration 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 built a high public profile through administration contracts, philanthropy and displays of wealth on social media.

Among his best-known business ventures was a $172m (£128m) solar power project in Gwanda awarded to Intratrek by the state-owned Zimbabwe Power Firm. The project became the subject of years of legal disputes.

He additionally came under scrutiny over the procurement of materials for Zimbabwe's disputed 2023 elections. Zimbabwe's anti-corruption commission investigated allegations surrounding contracts awarded to South African firm Ren-Form but closed the inquiry in 2025, saying it had identified no evidence linking Chivayo or the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to wrongdoing.

He was additionally known for giving away luxury cars and substantial sums of funds to musicians, religious leaders and other public figures, often publicising the gifts on social media. His connections extended beyond Zimbabwe.

Kenya's President William Ruto. This person had previously appeared in public with Chivayo, paid tribute to him as a "dear friend" and sent 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 continued.

Kenyan opposition figures had questioned Chivayo's repeated access to Ruto and State House.

As well as Eswatini's King Mswati III, he frequently publicised his access to African leaders, posting photographs of meetings with presidents including Zambia's Hakainde Hichilema, South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa and Tanzania's Samia Suluhu Hassan. You may additionally be interested in.

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Go to BBCAfrica.com, external for more news from the African continent.

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