Title: Helicopter Crash in Zimbabwe Leaves Six Dead; Businessman Wicknell Chivayo and Wife Among Victims, State Media Reports
A helicopter with six people on board crashed in a rural part of Zimbabwe on Wednesday, and officials say there were no survivors, according to the Associated Press.
The helicopter went down in the Marondera district, southeast of the capital Harare, police said. Government spokesperson Nick Mangwana posted on X that four passengers — including a high-profile businessman — were aboard along with two crew members. "Current information indicates that there were no survivors in this crash," he wrote.
Police spokesperson Paul Nyathi said responders were working to identify those on board, adding that the bodies were badly burned in a post-crash fire. "They were burned, there was a fire and we will be trying to identify the people," Nyathi said. "As we speak, responders are at the site and we will then be able to give more updates."
State broadcaster ZBC News, quoting a family spokesperson, reported that among the dead were prominent businessman Wicknell Chivayo, 43, and his wife Lucy Muteke. Chivayo was a close ally of Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa and was known for his close ties to regional heads of state — including South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa, Kenya's William Ruto and Tanzania's Samia Suluhu Hassan — and for lavish gifts of vehicles and cash to celebrities, church leaders and politicians. His business dealings and political connections had drawn scrutiny and allegations over public procurement and election financing in Zimbabwe and neighbouring countries, allegations he denied.
Sources: LA NACION (AP) — "Helicopter with 6 aboard crashes in Zimbabwe with no survivors, officials say" (https://www.lanacion.com.ar/usa/hel...-with-no-survivors-officials-say-nid30092026/)
A helicopter with six people on board crashed in a rural part of Zimbabwe on Wednesday, and officials say there were no survivors, according to the Associated Press.
The helicopter went down in the Marondera district, southeast of the capital Harare, police said. Government spokesperson Nick Mangwana posted on X that four passengers — including a high-profile businessman — were aboard along with two crew members. "Current information indicates that there were no survivors in this crash," he wrote.
Police spokesperson Paul Nyathi said responders were working to identify those on board, adding that the bodies were badly burned in a post-crash fire. "They were burned, there was a fire and we will be trying to identify the people," Nyathi said. "As we speak, responders are at the site and we will then be able to give more updates."
State broadcaster ZBC News, quoting a family spokesperson, reported that among the dead were prominent businessman Wicknell Chivayo, 43, and his wife Lucy Muteke. Chivayo was a close ally of Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa and was known for his close ties to regional heads of state — including South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa, Kenya's William Ruto and Tanzania's Samia Suluhu Hassan — and for lavish gifts of vehicles and cash to celebrities, church leaders and politicians. His business dealings and political connections had drawn scrutiny and allegations over public procurement and election financing in Zimbabwe and neighbouring countries, allegations he denied.
Sources: LA NACION (AP) — "Helicopter with 6 aboard crashes in Zimbabwe with no survivors, officials say" (https://www.lanacion.com.ar/usa/hel...-with-no-survivors-officials-say-nid30092026/)
