Zimbabwean billionaire and businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy Muteke, have died in a helicopter crash that killed everyone on board in Marondera, about 70km east of Harare.
The helicopter crashed at about 5pm local time in the Marondera rural area, according to Zimbabwean authorities. Government spokesman Nick Mangwana later confirmed that there were no survivors.
Family spokesperson Herbert Chivayo confirmed the deaths of Wicknell Chivayo 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 been travelling from Gandami in Chikomba, where they were building a rural home. The helicopter crashed at Kudenga Farm about 40 minutes after take-off.
Mangwana said the aircraft was carrying a prominent businessman, other passengers and two pilots, while police said investigations into the crash were under way.
The cause of the crash had not been established at the time of reporting.
Chivayo was the managing director of Intratrek Zimbabwe and became widely known for his business activities, philanthropy and lavish public lifestyle.
His company was awarded a $172m solar power project in Gwanda by the state-owned Zimbabwe Power Company. The project later became involved in years of legal disputes.
Chivayo also attracted public attention for giving luxury vehicles and large sums of money to musicians, religious leaders and other public figures.
Kenyan President William Ruto, who described Chivayo as a “dear friend”, paid tribute to the businessman following his death.
“I will remember him for his friendship, his energy and his deep conviction in the possibilities of our continent,” Ruto said.
Investigations into the helicopter crash are continuing as authorities work to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident and formally identify the other victims.
