Images reveal extent of Wicknell Chivayo helicopter crash wreckage

Image: Zimbabwean entrepreneur and regional investor Sir Wicknell Chivayo paid a distinguished courtesy call on President William Ruto of Kenya.pool

Images from the crash site of Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo’s helicopter have revealed the extent of the devastation following the fatal accident in Marondera.

State broadcaster ZBC News reported from the scene, where the aircraft crashed, killing all six people on board, including Chivayo, his wife Lucy Muteke, two other passengers and two pilots.

Crash site sealed off

Emergency responders and security officers reportedly sealed off the crash site overnight as authorities began securing the area and investigating the accident.

The bodies of the six victims remained at the scene until Thursday morning before being transported to local mortuaries.

After sunrise, ZBC News was able to access the area and broadcast images showing the extent of the destruction.

“When you look at the scene, it tells quite a harrowing story of how these six people passed away,” a reporter said.

Helicopter’s final journey

According to information from authorities, the helicopter departed Chivayo’s rural home in Gandami, Chikomba, at around 4:20pm.

The group was travelling towards Harare when the aircraft crashed approximately 40 minutes later at Kudenga Farm in Marondera.

Police confirmed that the helicopter went down shortly after departure, although the official cause of the crash had not been established.

Wreckage scattered across field

Images from the scene showed a long stretch of scorched grass where the helicopter had travelled across the ground following the impact.

Large sections of the aircraft were scattered across the field, including parts of the wings and tail.

Family spokesperson Herbert Chivayo confirmed the deaths of the businessman and his wife to ZBC News.

Police spokesperson Paul Nyathi said the victims suffered severe burns and would require formal identification.

Investigators remained at Kudenga Farm as authorities worked to establish what caused the fatal accident.

Who was Wicknell Chivayo?

Chivayo, 45, was one of Zimbabwe’s most prominent and controversial business figures.

Known publicly as “Sir Wicknell,” he built his profile through various commercial ventures and state-linked contracts while becoming particularly famous for his extravagant displays of wealth and generosity.

He was estimated to have given away about US$60 million through cash donations, houses and more than 150 luxury vehicles.

His beneficiaries included musicians, sports teams, church leaders and individuals involved in community initiatives.

Chivayo also faced legal challenges during his career, including fraud charges linked to the Gwanda Solar Project. He was acquitted in 2024, while anti-corruption investigations into separate transactions reportedly did not establish wrongdoing.

In recent years, Chivayo expanded his business interests beyond Zimbabwe, including ventures and infrastructure-related investments in East Africa.