Wicknell Chivayo and Wife Among Six Killed in Zimbabwe Helicopter Crash
A helicopter crash in Zimbabwe's Marondera area on Wednesday evening resulted in no survivors, government officials confirmed. The incident involved a high-profile businessman, passengers, and pilots, though a discrepancy exists in the reported number of occupants. Authorities are investigating and have not yet released the identities of the victims, nor confirmed widespread speculation about businessman Wicknell Chivayo.
Prominent Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy Muteke, were among six people killed when a helicopter crashed in the Marondera Rural area of Mashonaland East Province on Wednesday, September 30.
The crash occurred at approximately 5 p.m. local time near Waddilove Mission, east of Harare, and authorities confirmed that there were no survivors. Zimbabwean police initially reported six occupants aboard the aircraft, while an early government statement gave a conflicting passenger count before subsequent reports confirmed six fatalities.
Chivayo’s death was subsequently confirmed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, while family spokesperson Herbert Chivayo confirmed that Lucy Muteke had also died in the crash. Government spokesperson Nick Mangwana announced the fatal incident on Wednesday, extending condolences to the victims’ families and stating that police would provide further information.
Emergency responders and police attended the scene as authorities began investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash. On Thursday, forensic experts and investigators were deployed to the crash site, where officials from the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe joined government and security personnel to assess the wreckage.
Preliminary comments from the aviation authority’s director-general indicated that the impact may have caused fuel to spill and ignite, but the cause of the crash has not yet been officially established. Investigations are continuing, with further details about the accident and the other victims expected from the relevant authorities.