Wicknell Chivayo, Zimbabwe’s ‘Sir’, and Wife Die in Fatal Helicopter Crash

Zimbabwe’s high‑profile businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife Lucy Muteke were among the six people killed when their helicopter crashed in the countryside near Marondera on 1 October 2026. The aircraft, which had departed from Gandami in Chikomba where the couple were building a rural home, plunged into a field about 40 minutes after take‑off.

Police have confirmed all six occupants died in the crash. Two of the fatalities were pilots, while the other four included Chivayo, his wife and two passengers whose identities are yet to be publicly released.

The family spokesperson Herbert Chivayo, speaking to the national broadcaster ZBC, said the tragedy has left them devastated and that no details of the incident have been released by authorities.

Chivayo, who styled himself ‘Sir Wicknell’ in public, built a reputation through lucrative government contracts, a high‑profile solar project in Gwanda and a range of philanthropic activities. He faced scrutiny for his role in a disputed 2023 election procurement and for a state‑owned power contract that later became the subject of legal disputes.

Despite repeated allegations of corruption, the Zimbabwe Anti‑Corruption Commission closed its 2025 inquiry without finding evidence linking Chivayo or the electoral commission to wrongdoing.

The tycoon was known for public displays of wealth, often gifting luxury cars and large sums of money to public figures and posting photos of meetings with African leaders, including Kenya’s William Ruto and Zambia’s Hakainde Hichilema. Ruto, who has been photographed alongside Chivayo, expressed shock and offered condolences to the family.

An investigation into the cause of the crash is underway. Emergency services reached the site on Wednesday evening, but authorities have not yet identified whether pilot error, mechanical failure or other factors contributed to the tragedy.