A helicopter crash in eastern Zimbabwe has claimed the lives of prominent businessman Wicknell Chivayo, his wife, Lucy Muteke, and four other people.
The private helicopter crashed on Wednesday, September 30, in Marondera, the capital of Mashonaland East province, east of Harare.
Family spokesman Herbert Chivayo confirmed the deaths of the businessman and his wife, describing the incident as a tragic loss.
Zimbabwean government spokesman Nick Mangwana also confirmed the crash, saying six people were on board the aircraft, including a prominent businessman, three other passengers and two pilots.
He said preliminary information indicated that there were no survivors.
Zimbabwe police spokesman Paul Nyathi separately confirmed that six people were aboard the helicopter.
The crash has drawn attention across Zimbabwe because of Chivayo’s prominence in the country’s business and political circles.
Chivayo, 42, was known for his high-profile lifestyle and business interests, as well as his reported close relationship with President Emmerson Mnangagwa and members of the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front.
Following news of the crash, government officials expressed condolences to the victims’ families and friends as authorities work to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident.
