Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba
Senior Reporter
A team of forensic experts and investigators was deployed to the helicopter crash site in Marondera, Mashonaland East, on Thursday morning to investigate the deaths of prominent businessman Wicknell Chivayo, his wife Lucy Muteke and four other people.
The six died when the helicopter they were travelling in crashed on Wednesday evening.
Senior Government officials, including Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona, and members of the security services visited the crash site early on Thursday morning.
Investigations into the cause of the crash are underway. Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) director-general Mr George Mashababe, an accomplished aviation expert with a career spanning over 37 years in the field, addressed the officials at the site.
“The helicopter has a tail with blades, and when the body of the helicopter hit the ground, it appears that there was impact and a spillage of fuel, which resulted in a fire that followed the fuel that had spilt on the ground,” he said.
Mr Mashababe said further investigations were continuing and the investigators will soon provide a detailed statement of their findings.
The helicopter crashed at around 5 pm at a farm near Waddilove Mission. The Government confirmed that there were no survivors in the crash, although police are yet to formally name the victims.
In an interview at the scene, family spokesperson Mr Herbert Chivayo said: “Yes, we confirm that Wicknell Chivayo and his wife have perished in this tragedy.
“I am told the helicopter had five occupants. The other three were the two pilots and Mr Chivayo’s aide.”
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi also confirmed the helicopter crash last night.
“The ZRP confirms a plane crash in Marondera Rural area at 5 pm this evening (last night). The aircraft had six occupants. More details will be released in due course as the scene is currently being attended,” Comm Nyathi said.
