Helicopter Crash Claims Life of Tycoon Wicknell Chivayo, Wife Lucy Muteke; All Six Aboard Killed
Story By Staff Reporter
Wicknell Chivayo, the Zimbabwean businessman known for his lavish lifestyle and government contracts, died on Wednesday. A helicopter crashed in the Marondera Rural area, east of Harare, according to local media. ZimLive also reported that his wife, Lucy Muteke, known as Lulu, died in the crash. In total, six people lost their lives.
Government confirms the crash
The government confirmed the crash but did not name the victims. Nick Mangwana, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, issued a statement. He said the helicopter carried one high-profile businessman, three other passengers and two pilots. “Current information indicates that there were no survivors in this crash,” he added.
Mangwana also said the Zimbabwe Republic Police would release the victims’ names in due course. Police said the aircraft went down at about 5 p.m. with six people on board.
How the news broke
ZimLive was the first to report that Chivayo had died. After that, NewZimbabwe and Zimbabwean journalist Hopewell Chin’ono reported that he and his wife had been killed.
Nobody has established the cause of the crash yet. Police officers are at the scene. Authorities will share more details once they confirm them. Meanwhile, the government offered its deepest condolences and prayers to the victims’ families and friends.
A controversial fortune
Chivayo, 45, was one of Zimbabwe’s best-known and most divisive businessmen. He was born on Nov. 22, 1980, in Chivhu. He made his name through state contracts and very public displays of wealth. For example, he gave expensive cars and large gifts to musicians, journalists, sports organizations and members of the security forces. His admirers called him “Sir Wicknell.”
He openly supported the ruling ZANU-PF party. However, critics accused him of profiting from his closeness to the government. He repeatedly denied wrongdoing and defended his wealth and philanthropy.
Legal battles
Legal troubles shadowed his career. Police arrested him in 2011 on eight counts of fraud and money laundering. Later, prosecutors pursued him several times over an advance payment for the Gwanda Solar Project. That state power contract went to his company, Intratrek Zimbabwe. Courts finally acquitted him in 2024.
In December 2025, meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission said it had found no evidence directly implicating him in a separate transaction.
Expansion into Kenya
In recent years, Chivayo expanded beyond Zimbabwe. Reports said he built close ties with Kenyan President William Ruto. Then, in June, his company IMC Construction Kenya secured a stake in a proposed $2.9 billion infrastructure expansion in Kenya.
He also stayed publicly active in the weeks before the crash. On social media, for instance, he regularly posted about his cars, gifts and business deals. A large following watched his posts.
Reporting based on original coverage by ZimLive, NewZimbabwe and Hopewell Chin’ono.
