Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy Muteke, have perished in a helicopter crash in Marondera Rural, Mashonaland East Province. The helicopter crash occurred around 5pm on Wednesday, September 30, killing all six people on board, according to Zimbabwean authorities. The aircraft crashed near Waddilove Mission, southeast of Harare.

Chivayo’s family spokesperson, Herbert Chivayo, confirmed the sad news regarding the business magnate and his wife.

“Yes, we confirm that Wicknell Chivayo and his wife have perished in this tragedy,” Herbert Chivayo said.

Zimbabwe Republic Police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, had earlier confirmed the crash, stating that emergency teams were on site.

“ZRP confirms a plane crash in Marondera Rural area at 5pm this evening. The aircraft had six occupants. More details will be released in due course as the scene is currently being attended,” Nyathi said.

Zimbabwean government spokesperson Nick Mangwana later confirmed that there were no survivors of the tragic helicopter crash.

“Current information indicates that there were no survivors in this crash,” Mangwana said.

Mangwana added that the helicopter had on board a bigwig, four passengers and two pilots. Police were initially yet to officially release the names of the victims as they worked to identify the victims and inform their next of kin. The police stated that the bodies of the occupants were badly charred due to the aircraft catching fire on impact, which impeded the process of identification.

The cause of the helicopter crash had yet to be determined at the time of the latest official reports. Emergency response teams attended the scene as officials launched an investigation into the incident. More information on the aircraft, its route and the cause of the crash is expected to come as the probe unfolds.

Chivayo, 43, was the founder of Intratrek Zimbabwe, an energy and infrastructure company that has been at the forefront of the development and management of several high-profile projects, including the Gwanda solar project. The business magnate had become a prominent figure in Zimbabwe in the fields of commercial and public life. The businessman had also in the past few months become a household name across Kenya due to his high-profile courtship of President William Ruto, with whom he shared a picture. Film.

Chivayo and his wife, Lucy Muteke, are among the six people who lost their lives in the Marondera helicopter crash, as officials continue to work to officially identify all the victims and determine the cause of the accident.