Prominent Zimbabwean businessman, energy contractor, and socialite Wicknell Munodaani Chivayo, popularly known as “Sir Wicknell,” has been killed in a helicopter crash in Marondera, Zimbabwe.
The fatal accident occurred on Wednesday, September 30, in the Marondera Rural area, located east of Harare. Chivayo, 43, was traveling alongside his wife, Lucy Muteke, when the private aircraft went down and caught fire upon impact. In an official government statement, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary Nick Mangwana confirmed that the helicopter carried six occupants—a high-profile businessman, three passengers, and two pilots—and that there were no survivors.
“The Government wishes to confirm that a helicopter crash has occurred… Current information indicates that there were no survivors in this crash,” government spokesman Nick Mangwana said in a statement on X, extending condolences to the bereaved families while aviation authorities and police initiated formal inquiries into the cause of the crash.
Born on November 22, 1982, Chivayo built a high-profile public persona centered on major energy, procurement, and infrastructure ventures through his flagship firm, Intratrek Zimbabwe Limited. Over two decades, his companies secured extensive contracts across Zimbabwe and regional African markets. Beyond his commercial operations, Chivayo was widely known for extravagant displays of personal wealth, philanthropic giveaways, luxury automobile collections, and close ties with senior political leadership across Southern Africa.
Tributes and condolences have poured in from political leaders, business executives, and social media figures across the continent following the confirmation of the tragic loss.