Zimbabwe tycoon Wicknell Chivayo and wife killed in helicopter crash
Prominent Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy Muteke, were among six people killed when a helicopter crashed in the Marondera area east of Harare. Their deaths were confirmed by a family spokesperson; police said everyone on board died. The crash has drawn attention both to the ongoing investigation and to Chivayo’s high-profile business and public life.
The helicopter came down at about 17:00 local time on Wednesday, around 40 minutes after taking off from Gandami, according to state broadcaster ZBC. Two of the six people aboard were pilots, and investigators recovered the aircraft’s black box; the cause remains unknown. Chivayo, 43, led Intratrek Zimbabwe and was associated with a $172m solar project that faced years of legal disputes, while allegations linked to other business dealings were denied or, in one inquiry, closed without evidence of wrongdoing.
- Wicknell Chivayo and his wife died in a helicopter crash.
- All six people aboard were killed near Marondera.
- Investigators recovered the black box; the cause is unknown.
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Wicknell Chivayo was one of Zimbabwe's most prominent businessmen and chief executive of Intratrek Zimbabwe, a company involved in large-scale commercial projects. In recent years, he had become a significant figure in Zimbabwe's business world, though his various ventures also attracted legal disputes and public controversy.
Chivayo was particularly known for leading a $172 million solar energy project, which became embroiled in prolonged legal battles. His other business dealings faced various allegations; some were denied, whilst one official inquiry concluded without finding evidence of wrongdoing. These ventures and the disputes surrounding them established him as one of Zimbabwe's most closely watched business figures.