Prominent Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy Muteke, have been killed along with four others after a private helicopter crashed in a rural area east of Harare, his family has confirmed.

The aircraft came down at Kudenga Farm near Marondera, approximately 70 kilometres east of the capital, about 40 minutes after takeoff on Wednesday. Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the crash occurred at around 17:00 local time (15:00 GMT). All six people on board died.

Two of the six occupants were pilots, according to government officials. Government spokesperson Nick Mangwana confirmed there were "no survivors".

State broadcaster ZBC reported that the group had departed from Gandami in Chikomba district, where Chivayo and his wife were building a rural home.

Family spokesperson Herbert Chivayo confirmed the deaths to ZBC. "We are at a loss for words after the tragic news," he said.

The cause of the crash was not immediately established. Police said investigations were under way, and emergency services were dispatched to the scene on Wednesday evening. Forensic experts and investigators arrived at the site on Thursday morning.

George Mashababe, director-general of the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe, said early indications suggested the helicopter's tail struck the ground first. He told a local newspaper that the impact caused fuel to spill and that a fire spread along the ground as a result. Mashababe said the inquiry was ongoing and that a full statement would be issued later.

Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona was among senior officials expected to visit the crash site.

Chivayo, who was 43, was the founder and managing director of Intratrek Zimbabwe. Despite serving several years in prison following a fraud conviction in 2004, he went on to build a prominent business career largely through government contracts.

Among his most significant ventures was a $172 million solar power project in Gwanda, awarded to Intratrek by the state-owned Zimbabwe Power Company. The project, described separately as a 100-megawatt scheme, became the subject of years of legal disputes.

He also came under scrutiny over the procurement of materials for Zimbabwe's disputed 2023 elections. The country's anti-corruption commission investigated allegations surrounding contracts awarded to a South African company but closed the inquiry in 2025, saying it had found no evidence of wrongdoing linking Chivayo or the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to the matter.

His ambitions extended beyond Zimbabwe. In June, King Mswati III of Eswatini granted him citizenship and a diplomatic passport, after which Chivayo announced plans for a 300-megawatt solar project in the kingdom.

Widely known as "Sir Wicknell", Chivayo used the title publicly and on social media, though he was never awarded a British knighthood. He was known for giving away luxury cars and large sums of money to musicians, religious leaders and other public figures, frequently publicising the gifts online. A 2025 report in a Zimbabwean newspaper estimated he had spent approximately $9.3 million on vehicles and other gifts for associates.

Chivayo also cultivated close ties with political leaders across the continent. He regularly posted photographs of meetings with presidents including Kenya's William Ruto, Zambia's Hakainde Hichilema, South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa and Tanzania's Samia Suluhu Hassan, as well as Eswatini's King Mswati III.

Kenyan President Ruto paid tribute to Chivayo as "a dear friend whose warmth touched many people", saying he would remember him for "his friendship, his energy and his deep conviction in the possibilities of our continent." Ruto also offered condolences to Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the people of Zimbabwe. Kenyan opposition figures had previously questioned Chivayo's repeated access to Ruto and the State House.

President Mnangagwa said he had met Chivayo the day before his death, following a cabinet meeting, during which the businessman shared plans for Zimbabwe. "We are all shattered by this unexpected, sudden demise of so young a family," Mnangagwa said. He described Chivayo as "consummately philanthropic" and said his death had left him "personally numbed" and in "great shock".