Zimbabwe has been plunged into mourning following the death of prominent businessman Wicknell Chivayo in a fatal helicopter crash near Marondera this evening.
Authorities have confirmed that a helicopter carrying the high-profile businessman, other passengers and two pilots crashed in the area, with no survivors reported.
As details surrounding the tragedy continue to emerge, our live updates bring you the latest developments, reactions and updates from the scene.
Authorities attend to plane wreckage
At the crash site in Marondera Rural, emergency personnel and members of the public have gathered as authorities attend to the wreckage of the helicopter.
Images from the scene show the aircraft badly damaged in a wooded area, with emergency responders working around the site.
Police earlier confirmed that the crash occurred at around 5pm, while Government spokesperson Nick Mangwana said there were no survivors.
Authorities are expected to provide further details, including the identities of the other people who were on board, as investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash continue.
Kenya’s President mourns the Chivayos
Kenyan President William Ruto has sent his condolence message following the death of businessman Wicknell Chivayo, his wife Lucy Muteke and other people who died in a helicopter crash on Wednesday.
President Ruto said he was deeply saddened by the tragedy, describing Chivayo as a dear friend whose warmth touched many people.
“Wicknell was a dear friend whose warmth touched many people,” he said in a post on X.
“I will remember him for his friendship, his energy and his deep conviction in the possibilities of our continent.”
Ruto said the sudden deaths were a painful loss to the families, friends and all those who knew the victims.
He also conveyed his condolences to the President Mnangagwa and the people of Zimbabwe at large.
“May God grant Wicknell, Lucy and all those who perished eternal rest,” President Ruto said.
Forensic experts deployed to probe copter crash
A team of forensic experts and investigators has been deployed to the helicopter crash site in Marondera this morning to investigate the deaths of prominent businessman Wicknell Chivayo, his wife Lucy Muteke and four other people.
Senior Government officials, including Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix
Investigations into the cause of the crash are underway.
Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) director-general Mr George Mashababe explained what could have happened.
“The helicopter has a tail with blades, and when its body hit the ground, it appears 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 investigations are ongoing and a detailed statement of their findings will be released in due course.
Scottland FC joins in mourning
SCOTTLAND FC has sent its condolence message following the death of its sponsor, businessman Wicknell Chivayo, his wife Lucy “Lulu” Muteke and four others in a helicopter crash in Marondera Rural yesterday.
In a statement released last night, the club said it had learnt of the tragedy with profound shock.
“It is with profound shock and heavy hearts that Honourable Pedzai ‘Scott’ Sakupwanya and the entire Scottland family have learnt of the tragic passing of club sponsor, Sir Wicknell Chivayo, his wife Lucy Muteke and four others in a helicopter crash,” reads the statement.
The club said Chivayo was more than just a sponsor.
“Beyond the sponsorship, Sir Wicknell believed in our dreams, stood by us through every triumph and challenge, and became an invaluable part of the Scottland FC family.
“The void left by this sudden demise is huge, not only for Scottland FC, but for everyone whose lives were touched by his generosity,” the club said.
Scottland FC extended its sympathies to the bereaved families.
“At this exceptionally difficult time, our thoughts, prayers, and deepest sympathies go out to the bereaved families, friends, and colleagues at IMC.
“May you find strength, comfort, and peace in the wonderful memories they leave behind. May their souls rest in peace,” said the club.
Bodies removed from the scene
The bodies of businessman Wicknell Chivayo, his wife and three others have been collected after spending the night at the scene of the helicopter crash.
The accident occurred at Kudenga Farm in Marondera on Wednesday around 5:30 pm.
Reports suggest that the helicopter had five occupants – Wicknell Chivayo and his wife Lucy Muteke, their worker and two pilots – instead of the six initially reported.
Soon after the crash, police immediately cordoned off the scene and started conducting investigations.
Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Felix Mhona and Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Advocate Itayi Ndudzo visited the accident scene.
President Mnangagwa sends condolence message
President Mnangagwa has expressed deep shock and grief following the death of businessman Wicknell Chivayo, his wife Lucy Muteke and three other people in a helicopter crash in Marondera yesterday.
In a condolence message, President Mnangagwa described the tragedy as a major loss to the nation.
“The sudden and unexpected tragic passing on of Mr and Mrs Chivayo, two crew members and a security aide in a helicopter crash yesterday afternoon left our nation, my family, and me personally numbed and in deep shock and grief,” he said.
The President described the Chivayo family as philanthropic and said its charitable work and generosity transformed numerous lives across the country.
He said Chivayo supported people from various sectors, including politics, religion, public service, culture, sport and other professions.
President Mnangagwa said Chivayo had a grand vision for his family, Zimbabwe, the Southern African region and the African continent, and his efforts had deepened the country’s engagement and re-engagement programme.
He said Chivayo’s vision aligned with national goals of rural development through investment, industrialisation and transformation.
“On behalf of our nation, my family and on my behalf, I wish to express my deepest, heartfelt condolences to the Chivayo Family, and to the families of all those lost in yesterday’s tragic crash,” President Mnangagwa said.
Chivayo’s death trends globally
Chivayo’s death on Wednesday has been trending around the world as a confirmation of how the businessman’s influence had spread around the globe.
Chivayo, who was set to turn 44 next month.
The businessman’s death has attracted widespread coverage around the world with many leading news organisations, including the BBC and Al Jazeera, and Britain’s leading tabloid, The Sun, also covering his death.
The coverage spread from Nigeria to India with leading media organisations in those countries covering the businessman’s tragic death.
In India, Chivayo’s death was covered by the Hindustan Times, while in Nigeria, his death was covered by various media organisations in that country.
There was widespread coverage of the businessman’s death in leading Kenyan media organisations like The Standard and the East African.
Johanne Masowe members remember one of their own
Some members of the Johanne Masowe yeChishanu church have said they were struggling to come to terms with the helicopter tragedy.
Madzibaba Simbarashe Nengomasha said Chivayo touched the lives of many people through his generosity and support.
“We have lost a man who has been planting seeds of love.
“The man who taught us a lesson of sharing –giving the best in abundance – has left us with a challenge.
“Whatever we do on earth, let us do it wholeheartedly because we do not have a lot of time to live,” he said.
Madzibaba Nengomasha said Chivayo also changed the church community’s way of life, noting that he supported members in practical ways.
He added that it was his prayer that more people would follow Chivayo’s example.
Madzibaba Katsiru said Chivayo’s philanthropy went beyond donations of vehicles and cash.
He said the businessman supported students by paying school fees, assisted individuals with medical expenses and even helped widows.
“For many, he was a man who gave cars and cash. But to us, it was more than that,” Katsiru said.
Another church member, Tawanda Jegede, said the news of the crash affected him deeply.
“To me, Sir Wicknell Chivayo was a daily blessing. He would give me US$50 whenever he saw me.
“I am yet to gain the strength to work since I heard about the helicopter crash.”
Tanzania mourns crash victims
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has mourned the death of businessman Wicknell Chivayo, his wife, and three other people who died in the copter crash.
In an X post on Thursday, President Suluhu Hassan said Zimbabwe and Africa had lost a visionary entrepreneur who touched the lives of many.
“It is with great sorrow that I mourn the passing of Zimbabwean businessman Mr Wicknell Chivayo, his beloved wife, and three other people who tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash in Marondera,” she said.
“Zimbabwe and Africa have lost a young and visionary entrepreneur who touched the lives of many.
“On behalf of the government and the people of the United Republic of Tanzania, I convey our deepest and heartfelt condolences to His Excellency Emmerson Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, the Chivayo family, the families of all those who lost their loved ones and the people of Zimbabwe. May their souls rest in peace.”
‘We pray for the comfort only God provides’ – Makandiwa
United Family International Church leader Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa has extended a condolence message to the families of businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy Muteke, following their deaths in a helicopter crash on Wednesday.
Prophet Makandiwa also mourned the crew members who died in the accident and extended his condolences to the Johane Masowe church and its leaders.
In a condolence message, Prophet Makandiwa said the bereaved families should find comfort in God.
“We extend our condolences to the families of Mr and Mrs Chivayo and to the families of the special crew on board that did not make it home alive, and to the Johane Masowe church and its leaders,” he said.
“We pray for the comfort that only God provides.”
Quoting Revelation 14:13, Prophet Makandiwa said the deceased should be remembered for their work and legacy.
“Revelation 14:13: Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord, for they rest from their labour and their works follow them,” he said.
“None of man’s work goes to waste; rather, the work always follows the man even in the world to come.”
‘Chivayo’s final gift a reflection of loyalty, friendship and shared adversity’
Lawyer Wilson Manase says businessman Wicknell Chivayo’s final gift to him was far more than a luxury car and a substantial cash gift as it was a deeply personal gesture reflecting nearly three decades of loyalty, friendship and shared adversity.
Shortly before his death, Chivayo gifted Manase a brand-new 2026 Lexus GX 550 valued at US$220 000, along with US$250 000 in cash, describing it as his way of “saving the best for last” for a man who had stood by him since 1998.
Manase said Chivayo called him to tell him about the gift after noticing he had not contacted him to say thank you.
“I spoke to Chivayo, he is the one who called me and said, Chairman, you have not phoned me,” Manase said.
“I said, why? He said, I gave you a gift. I said, thank you, but I haven’t seen it.
“He said, go and see your gift, it’s at Exquisite. I went, I saw the car, I was happy.
“He says, look, I saved the best for the last. You walked with me where some people wanted me to be pricked by thorns.”
While acknowledging that the vehicle was beautiful, Manase said the material value of the gift was not what mattered most to him.
“Beautiful car, but you know, cars are not what I really epitomise. But if it’s a gift, genuinely given from the heart for the expression he gave in his story, I can’t refuse,” he said.
Manase said Chivayo’s words reflected the difficult journey they travelled together over the years.
“He said, you know what? You have saved me, and you have done a lot with me. You walked a thorny journey,” he said.
“But I am saying saving the best for last because of the journey we have walked from 1998, you never left.”
l am hurting: Sugar Sugar
Musician Taruvinga “Sugar Sugar” Manjokota says he is struggling to come to terms with the death of businessman Wicknell Chivayo, describing the loss as deeply painful.
Chivayo died alongside his wife Lucy Muteke, her aide and two pilots in a helicopter crash in Marondera on Wednesday.
Sugar Sugar, who received a brand-new 2026 Toyota Fortuner 2.4 GD-6 and US$10 000 in cash, said he was deeply hurt by the news.
“I’m hurt. To be honest, I’m deeply hurt, and I’m struggling to accept the news,” he said.
“But when the time comes, there is no option. None of us knows the day, and none of us can choose how we want to die, nor can we escape death when the time comes.”
“Death has taken our loved ones who were serving the nation with dedication.
Selmor Mtukudzi among mourners paying their last respects at Chivayo home
MOURNERS continued to visit the Chivayo family home in Harare today to pay their last respects following the death of businessman Wicknell Chivayo, his wife Lucy “Lulu” Muteke and three others in a helicopter crash on Wednesday.
Musician Selmor Mtukudzi and her husband Tendai Manatsa were among those who visited the family.
Meanwhile, preparations for the burial are still ongoing, with the Chivayo family presently awaiting DNA tests to finalise the burial date and the couple’s final resting place.
Jah Prayzah and wife contribute provisions towards Wicknell Chivayo’s funeral
MUSICIAN Jah Prayzah and his wife Rufaro have contributed provisions towards the funeral of businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife Lucy Muteke, who died in a helicopter crash on Wednesday.
The couple postponed their wedding, which was supposed to be held today, to mourn the passing of their biggest benefactor.
Announcing the musician’s magnanimous gesture, Harare-based wedding planner, Kevin Zhou, who is also known as “Kevin the Wedding Planner”, said they had been deeply moved by the couple’s passing.
“Jah Prayzah and Rufaro were actually supposed to be getting married today,” Kevin said. “So, they have sent me to come and represent them and salvage everything that they had invested for their wedding to be used for the funeral.”
Some of the items that have been donated to the Chivayo funeral include flowers and catering services.
Kevin incidentally worked on Chivayo and his wife’s traditional wedding last year.
