Zimbabwean Tycoon Wicknell Chivayo Dies in Helicopter Crash

Wicknell Chivayo, the managing director of Intratrek, and his wife, Lucy Muteke, died in a helicopter crash on September 30, 2026, in the Marondera rural area, approximately 70 kilometers east of Harare. The helicopter, which was carrying six individuals, went down around 17:00 local time (15:00 GMT) shortly after taking off from Gandami in Chikomba district, where the couple was constructing a rural home.

Family spokesperson Herbert Chivayo confirmed their deaths to state broadcaster ZBC, expressing the family's devastation. Government spokesman Nick Mangwana confirmed that there were no survivors, stating the helicopter was carrying a prominent businessman, three passengers, and two pilots.

The crash occurred at Kudenga Farm about 40 minutes after takeoff, and the cause is currently unknown, with police investigations underway. Chivayo was known for his high-profile business dealings, including a $172 million solar power project awarded to Intratrek by the Zimbabwe Power Company, and faced scrutiny over contracts linked to the 2023 elections, though he denied any wrongdoing.