Wicknell Chivayo: Zimbabwean businessman and spouse killed in helicopter crash

Earlier, authorities spokesman Nick Mangwana confirmed the crash, saying the helicopter was carrying “a outstanding businessman, three different passengers and two pilots”.

“Current data signifies that there have been no survivors on this crash,” Mangwana posted on X.

Chivayo was the managing director of Intratrek Zimbabwe and had constructed a excessive public profile by authorities contracts, philanthropy and shows of wealth on social media.

Among his best-known trade ventures was a $172m (£128m) solar energy undertaking in Gwanda awarded to Intratrek by the state-owned Zimbabwe Power Company. The undertaking turned the topic of years of authorized disputes.

He additionally got here underneath scrutiny over the procurement of supplies for Zimbabwe’s disputed 2023 elections. Zimbabwe’s anti-corruption fee investigated allegations surrounding contracts awarded to South African firm Ren-Form however closed the inquiry in 2025, saying it had discovered no proof linking Chivayo or the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to wrongdoing.

Widely referred to as “Sir Wicknell”, Chivayo steadily used the title publicly and on social media, though he was by no means given a British knighthood.

He was additionally recognized for gifting away luxurious automobiles and enormous sums of cash to musicians, non secular leaders and different public figures, typically publicising the presents on social media.

His connections prolonged past Zimbabwe.

Kenya’s President William Ruto, who had beforehand appeared in public with Chivayo, paid tribute to him as a “expensive buddy” and despatched condolences to the households of these killed.

“I’ll bear in mind him for his friendship, his vitality and his deep conviction within the potentialities of our continent,” Ruto added.

Kenyan opposition figures had questioned Chivayo’s repeated entry to Ruto and State House.

He steadily publicised his entry to African leaders, posting images of conferences with presidents together with Zambia’s Hakainde Hichilema, South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa and Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Hassan, in addition to Eswatini’s King Mswati III.