Zimbabwe helicopter crash kills 6 including millionaire tycoon who gave away cars

On Wednesday, 30 September 2026, a private helicopter crashed on a farm near Waddilove Mission in the Marondera Rural area, located southeast of Harare, killing all six people on board. The tragedy claimed the lives of prominent Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy “Lulu” Muteke. Family spokesman Herbert Chivayo confirmed the deaths to state broadcaster ZBC News, describing the family as being at a loss for words. Government spokesman Nick Mangwana and national police spokesman Commissioner Paul Nyathi initially confirmed that the aircraft was carrying a high-profile businessman, three other passengers, and two pilots, with no survivors. Later statements from police and officials noted that forensic workers and funeral parlor personnel faced a painful recovery process at the fiery scene, where the wreckage lay on burnt grass after the aircraft struck the ground and spilled fuel that ignited the surrounding area.

Chivayo, 43, operated businesses across the energy and infrastructure sectors, founding firms such as Intratrek Zimbabwe Ltd. He cultivated a high-profile public image under the social media handle “Sir Wicknell,” frequently broadcasting a lavish lifestyle characterized by Rolls-Royces, private aircraft, designer shoes, luxury watches, and frequent shopping trips abroad. His online persona featured regular giveaways of luxury cars, buses, and large sums of cash to celebrities, musicians, church leaders, sports figures, and social media followers. TRT Afrika noted that Chivayo often described himself as a centi-millionaire with ambitions of becoming a dollar billionaire.

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In the final hours before the fatal crash, Chivayo maintained a busy public schedule. According to statements from Highlanders Football Club, Chivayo made a US$250,000 contribution to the Bulawayo-based club at around 1 pm on 30 September 2026, roughly four hours before the aircraft went down. Club chairman Kidman Ndlovu stated that the funds were intended to help settle outstanding obligations to playing staff and support infrastructure as the team celebrated its centenary year. Highlanders noted that this latest contribution brought Chivayo’s cumulative donations to the club to over US$2 million over a two-year period. Later that same day, Chivayo made what became his final social media post, sharing photographs of two luxury vehicles and $750,000 in cash that he intended to gift to two lawyers who had supported him over many years. The post concluded with the phrase, “Saved the best for last.” President Emmerson Mnangagwa later revealed that the couple was returning from Gandami in rural Chikomba, where they had been constructing modern family and community structures.

Chivayo’s network extended far beyond Zimbabwe’s borders, as he cultivated unusually close relationships with several African heads of state. He frequently posted documentation of meetings and dinners with leaders including Kenyan President William Ruto, Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Hassan, Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni, Nigeria’s Bola Tinubu, and Eswatini’s King Mswati III, who had previously granted him a diplomatic passport. His relationship with Ruto drew particular attention after footage emerged of the Kenyan president personally driving Chivayo and his wife to a helicopter at a private residence in Kilgoris following a traditional engagement ceremony involving Ruto's daughter, Charlene. Chivayo also maintained close ties with Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, whom he frequently referred to as his principal. Following the crash, Mnangagwa issued a statement describing the deaths as leaving the nation and his own family numbed and in deep shock, praising Chivayo as a consummately philanthropic figure whose charitable acts touched many lives. Tributes also poured in from William Ruto, who remembered Chivayo as a dear friend whose warmth touched many people.

Despite his philanthropy and political access, Chivayo’s business dealings frequently attracted public scrutiny and controversy. Critics and civil society observers pointed to his procurement success with government-linked infrastructure and energy contracts as an example of an elite class thriving amid severe economic hardships where median wages remained low. Chivayo faced multiple legal investigations throughout his career, beginning with a money-laundering case in 2005 and a 2018 arrest regarding an advance payment for a solar power project, both of which ended without conviction after courts dismissed the matters or prosecutors faced delays. Chivayo consistently denied any wrongdoing or political favoritism.

The sudden deaths generated sharply polarized reactions across Zimbabwean society. While leaders mourned, a segment of the public on social media openly celebrated the tycoon's passing, pointing to his wealth and political connections amid national economic struggles. Opposition lawmaker Chalton Hwende condemned the celebrations, writing that celebrating someone's death is un-African.

Investigations into the accident remain active. Authorities are examining the recovered black box, reviewing flight data, and inspecting maintenance records. Concurrently, police are conducting DNA testing and forensic identification procedures to formally verify the remains of all victims, with the government pledging to release official names once confirmation is complete.