Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo and five others die in helicopter crash near Marondera

Flight details and crash site

A helicopter carrying six occupants crashed in the Marondera rural district, approximately 72 kilometres east of Harare, at around 17:00 local time (15:00 GMT) on Wednesday. The flight had departed from Gandami in the Chikomba district, located roughly 144 kilometres from Harare, where businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife Lucy Muteke were building a rural home. According to reports cited by state broadcaster ZBC, the aircraft went down at Kudenga Farm approximately 40 minutes after takeoff and burst into flames. Emergency responders and police units deployed to the rural farm location on Wednesday evening to secure the wreckage and extinguish the fire.

Identification and official statements

Authorities confirmed that all six people on board, comprising two pilots and four passengers, were killed in the crash. Family spokesperson Herbert Chivayo confirmed to state television that the businessman, his wife, and their security personnel were on the aircraft alongside the flight crew. Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi explained that the severity of the fire hindered immediate on-site identification.

“They were burned, there was a fire and we will be trying to identify the people.”

Government spokesperson Nick Mangwana also released a statement confirming that rescue teams found no survivors at the scene.

“Current information indicates that there were no survivors in this crash.”

Political ties and public profile

The 43-year-old Chivayo was the managing director of Intratrek Zimbabwe and a prominent political ally of Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the ruling ZANU-PF party. He maintained a high public profile characterized by extensive social media documentation of private dinners and meetings with regional leaders, including South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa, Tanzania President Samia Suluhu Hassan, and Eswatini King Mswati III. Chivayo was also known for gifting luxury vehicles and cash to musicians, religious leaders, politicians, and social media followers who praised his posts or the government.

Business contracts and regulatory scrutiny

Chivayo's commercial contracts had repeatedly drawn scrutiny and allegations regarding public procurement and election financing, all of which he denied. Intratrek Zimbabwe was notably awarded a $172 million (approx. £128 million) solar power project in Gwanda by the state-owned Zimbabwe Power Company, an agreement that resulted in protracted legal disputes. He was also scrutinized over procurement contracts for Zimbabwe's 2023 elections involving South African supplier Ren-Form. The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission investigated those transactions and formally concluded its inquiry in 2025, stating that it found no evidence of wrongdoing by Chivayo or the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.

Regional reaction and crash inquiry

Kenya President William Ruto, who had previously appeared publicly alongside Chivayo, issued a formal statement extending condolences to the bereaved families.

“I will remember him for his friendship, his energy and his deep conviction in the possibilities of our continent.”

Police authorities and aviation investigators are currently examining the wreckage at Kudenga Farm to determine what caused the helicopter to crash 40 minutes into its journey.