Zimbabwe billionaire, wife die in helicopter crash

Zimbabwean billionaire and businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy Muteke, have died in a helicopter crash that killed all six people on board.

The helicopter crashed in the Marondera rural area, about 70 kilometres east of Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare, on Wednesday evening.

Zimbabwean police said the aircraft crashed at about 5pm local time, while government officials later confirmed that there were no survivors.

Government spokesman Nick Mangwana said the helicopter was carrying “a prominent businessman, three other passengers and two pilots”.

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

Family spokesperson Herbert Chivayo also confirmed the deaths of the businessman and his wife to Zimbabwe’s state broadcaster, ZBC.

“We are at a loss for words after the tragic news,” he said.

According to ZBC, the couple had travelled from Gandami in Chikomba, where they were building a rural home, before the helicopter crashed at Kudenga Farm about 40 minutes after take-off.

The cause of the crash was not immediately known as authorities commenced investigations into the incident.

Chivayo was the managing director of Intratrek Zimbabwe and was widely known for his lavish lifestyle, philanthropy and high-profile relationships across Africa.

His death has drawn reactions from prominent African figures, including Kenyan President William Ruto, who described Chivayo as a “dear friend” and said he would remember him for his friendship, energy and belief in the continent’s potential.

Authorities are continuing investigations to establish what caused the crash and confirm further details about the other victims.