Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy Muteke, have died after a helicopter crashed in the Marondera rural area, east of Harare, on September 30. The crash killed all six people aboard the aircraft, according to Zimbabwean authorities. Chivayo’s family later confirmed that he and his wife were among the victims.
The helicopter went down at around 5 p.m. local time in the Marondera area of Mashonaland East Province. Emergency responders were sent to the scene, but there were no survivors. Authorities have not yet established what caused the aircraft to crash, and investigations are expected to determine the circumstances surrounding the accident.
A High-Profile Business Figure Dies.
Chivayo was one of Zimbabwe’s most recognisable businessmen, particularly because of his highly publicised lifestyle, extensive social-media presence and connections across business, politics and entertainment.
He built his business interests largely around energy and infrastructure through Intratrek Zimbabwe, the company he founded. One of his most prominent projects was the Gwanda Solar Project, a planned 100-megawatt solar development that had faced years of delays and disputes before the Zimbabwe Power Company recently gave the project a new path toward implementation.
His death comes at a time when several of his business interests were expanding beyond Zimbabwe.
Energy Projects Were Central To His Business.
Chivayo’s business career was closely associated with large-scale energy projects. Intratrek had been awarded the Gwanda solar contract more than a decade ago, but the project remained stalled for years amid disputes surrounding its implementation.
In September, the project entered a new phase after the Zimbabwe Power Company issued a formal Notice to Proceed, allowing Intratrek to resume work. The revised project was expected to cost less than the original contract value and was scheduled for completion within 24 months.
The development was among Chivayo’s most significant recent business activities and reflected his continued focus on Zimbabwe’s energy sector.
His Regional Profile Was Growing.
Chivayo had also expanded his activities beyond Zimbabwe during 2026.
Earlier this year, he received Eswatini citizenship and a diplomatic passport following his engagement with King Mswati III. He subsequently announced plans for a proposed 300-megawatt solar project in the kingdom, further extending his involvement in Southern Africa’s energy sector.
His regional profile also brought him into contact with several African political and business figures.
He was known for documenting these relationships extensively on social media, where he also displayed his wealth and frequently announced donations to celebrities, religious figures, sporting personalities and other members of the public.
A Businessman Who Generated Public Debate.
Chivayo’s rise attracted considerable public attention in Zimbabwe, but his business activities also generated scrutiny.
His government-linked contracts and political relationships became subjects of public debate, particularly around the Gwanda solar project and allegations concerning public procurement and political financing. Chivayo denied wrongdoing in relation to the allegations surrounding his business activities.
His close relationship with Zimbabwe’s political establishment was also highly visible. He regularly appeared alongside senior political figures and maintained a public profile that went well beyond the traditional business community.
That combination of wealth, political access and philanthropy made him a particularly prominent figure in Zimbabwe’s public life.
The Crash Leaves Major Questions.
The circumstances surrounding the helicopter crash remain unclear.
Authorities have confirmed the deaths but have not yet released a definitive explanation for what caused the aircraft to go down. Investigators will now examine the helicopter, the flight circumstances and other evidence from the crash site.
The identification process was complicated by the condition of the bodies after the aircraft caught fire, requiring authorities to formally establish the identities of those killed.
The investigation will determine whether the crash was caused by mechanical failure, weather, pilot-related factors or another circumstance.
What Happens To His Business Empire.
Chivayo’s death also raises questions about the future of his business interests and ongoing projects.
Intratrek was preparing to return to the Gwanda solar project at the time of his death, while his wider business interests extended into energy, infrastructure and investments elsewhere in Southern Africa.
The company’s management and business partners will now face the task of determining how those projects continue without its founder.
For Zimbabwe, however, Chivayo’s death is more than the loss of a businessman. His public profile, political relationships, philanthropy and highly visible lifestyle had made him one of the country’s most discussed entrepreneurs.
The investigation into the Marondera crash will now take priority as authorities work to establish exactly what happened in the final moments of the flight that claimed six lives.
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