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  8. Helicopter crash in Zimbabwe kills six, with businessman Wicknell Chivayo and wife among the reported dead

World

Helicopter crash in Zimbabwe kills six, with businessman Wicknell Chivayo and wife among the reported dead

A helicopter carrying six people crashed in Zimbabwe's Marondera district on Wednesday, with officials indicating there were no survivors. Prominent businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife Lucy Muteke were reported among those killed.

By Sarah Whitfield · · 2 min read

A helicopter carrying six people crashed in a rural area of Zimbabwe on Wednesday, with officials indicating there were no survivors, the Associated Press reported.

The aircraft went down in the Marondera district, southeast of the capital Harare, at around 5pm local time, according to police. Government spokesperson Nick Mangwana said the helicopter was carrying four passengers and two crew members, and that preliminary information indicated nobody survived the crash.

Among those reported killed were prominent Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy Muteke. State broadcaster ZBC News, citing family spokesperson Herbert Chivayo, later reported that the couple were among those killed. Police spokesperson Paul Nyathi said a fire following the crash had made identification of the victims difficult.

Chivayo, 43, was a well-known figure in Zimbabwe’s business world with close ties to President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the country’s ruling establishment, AP reported. He was known for his flamboyant lifestyle and for giving expensive vehicles and cash to celebrities, church leaders and politicians.

Kenyan President William Ruto was among the first leaders to mourn the businessman, posting a condolence message in the early hours of Thursday in which he described Chivayo as “a dear friend”. Chivayo’s family confirmed the couple’s deaths after Zimbabwean authorities said there were no survivors.

Investigative journalist Maynard Manyowa moved to correct false reports circulating online that businessman Tazvi Mhaka, known as Chief J, had also died in the crash, confirming he had spoken to Mhaka personally after the accident.

Sources

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