Zimbabwean Businessman Wicknell Chivayo and Wife Reportedly Killed in Helicopter Crash

Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife have reportedly died after a helicopter they were travelling in crashed near Marondera, east of Harare, on Wednesday, September 30.

Zimbabwean government spokesperson Nick Mangwana confirmed there were no survivors.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said the aircraft crashed in the Marondera Rural area at around 5 pm, with six people on board.

“The ZRP confirms a plane crash in the Marondera Rural area at 1700 hours. The aircraft had 6 occupants,” the police said.

Chivayo was among those believed to have been on board the aircraft, according to initial reports, as emergency teams rushed to the scene.

Authorities Confirm Chivayo and Five Others Didn’t Survive

ZimLive, one of Zimbabwe’s news outlets, reported that more than half a dozen ambulances were seen travelling from Harare to the crash site as rescue teams responded.

At the time of the initial reports, Chivayo’s condition was unknown as emergency responders rushed to the scene.

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Mangwana later confirmed that nobody survived the crash.

The cause of the crash was not immediately known. Authorities are expected to release more information as investigations into the incident continue.

Further details about the crash and the victims are expected to emerge as authorities continue with the recovery and investigation.

Chivayo was a well-known Zimbabwean businessman who often attracted attention for his lavish lifestyle and social media posts.

Who Was Wicknell Chivayo?

Wicknell Chivayo, popularly known as Sir Wicknell, was a prominent Zimbabwean businessman and social media personality known for his lavish lifestyle, luxury cars, philanthropy, and involvement in major business deals and government contracts.

Also Read: Zimbabwean Tycoon Wicknell Chivayo Stuns Nairobi With Presidential-Style Security Convoy

He was also known for his friendships and public interactions with several African leaders. Among them were Kenyan President William Ruto, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and King Mswati III of Eswatini.

His social media accounts often featured photographs and moments with political leaders and other prominent figures across the continent.

Chivayo was raised by his mother, Canisia Chivayo, in Chivhu after his father, Isaac Mathias Chivayo, died in a car accident when he was 10 years old. His mother died in January 2021.

He was also a father and had two children with his former wife, Sonja Madzikanda, whom he married in 2017. In March 2025, he married Lucy “Lulu” Muteke in a lavish wedding attended by thousands of guests.

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Wicknell Chivayo, Chief Executive Officer of Intratrek Zimbabwe with President William Ruto and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki during a visit to Kenya. PHOTO/Courtesy