Zimbabwean authorities have opened an investigation into the helicopter crash that killed businessman Wicknell Chivayo, his wife Lucy Muteke and three other people near Harare, as aviation experts examine the wreckage and an intact black box recovered from the scene.
The helicopter crashed at Kudenga Farm in the Marondera area, about 72 kilometres east of Harare, at around 5 p.m. Wednesday, shortly after taking off from the Chivayo family home in Gandami. The aircraft caught fire after hitting the ground.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe said preliminary findings showed that fuel spilled when the helicopter struck the ground, followed by a fire that spread to the surrounding grass. Director General George Mashababe said, however, that investigators had not yet established what caused the aircraft to crash.
Investigators have recovered the helicopter’s black box, which was found intact and is expected to provide information about the aircraft’s operation before the crash. Authorities have not yet released details about the aircraft’s flight path, maintenance history or the weather conditions at the time of the accident.
Zimbabwe Republic Police said forensic scientists and aviation experts had attended the crash site as part of the investigation. Police have identified the five people who died as Chivayo, Muteke, security aide Saneliswe Magagula, pilot Calvin Tafirei Soda and co pilot Courage Mutavirwa.
The number of people aboard the helicopter was initially disputed. Government and police statements had initially reported six occupants, but the latest police account identified five victims. The discrepancy has not been fully explained by authorities.
The severity of the crash has also delayed formal identification of the remains. Zimbabwe’s state broadcaster reported Friday that the five bodies had been collected by the Criminal Investigations Department for forensic examination and DNA testing, with relatives expected to assist in the identification process.
Chivayo, 43, was one of Zimbabwe’s most prominent businessmen and was known for his close relationships with senior political figures, including President Emmerson Mnangagwa. He was also recognised for his highly publicised philanthropy and displays of wealth on social media.
His business interests included energy projects. His company, Intratrek Zimbabwe, won a government contract valued at more than $170 million in 2015 to develop a 100 megawatt solar power plant in Gwanda. The project faced delays and legal disputes, although Zimbabwe’s Supreme Court ruled in 2023 that the contract remained valid. The government ordered the project to proceed last month.
The crash has attracted attention beyond Zimbabwe because of Chivayo’s links to political and business figures across Africa. Kenyan President William Ruto, who described Chivayo as a friend, was among regional leaders who expressed condolences following the deaths.
The investigation will now focus on establishing what caused the helicopter to go down and whether mechanical, operational, weather or other factors contributed to the accident. Authorities have said further information will be released as the inquiry progresses.
The crash also highlights the importance of aviation accident investigations in establishing facts independently of initial reports, particularly where conflicting accounts emerge about the number of people aboard and the circumstances surrounding an accident. For the victims’ families, formal identification and recovery of the remains remain the immediate priority as funeral arrangements are being prepared.
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