Zimbabwe police revise death toll in Chivayo helicopter crash to five

Zimbabwean police have revised the death toll in the helicopter crash that killed prominent businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy.

Police now say five people were on board, correcting an earlier report of six. The other three victims have been identified as Lucy Chivayo’s aide, Senelisiwe Magagula, and pilots Captain Kelvin T. Soda and Captain Courage Mutavirwa.

The helicopter crashed on Wednesday evening in rural Marondera, east of Harare. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Zimbabwe, meanwhile, says a probe into the cause of the accident has been opened and the public would be informed in due course.

Fatal journey

State broadcaster ZBC reported that the group had set off on Wednesday from Gandami, a rural area in Chikomba district where Chivayo grew up and where he and his wife were building a home.

The helicopter crashed about 40 minutes after takeoff at Kudenga Farm near Marondera, a town about 70km (45 miles) southeast of Harare. Government spokesperson Nick Mangwana said on X that there were “no survivors”.

Kenyan President William Ruto paid tribute to Chivayo as “a dear friend whose warmth touched many people”. Writing on X, he said he would remember Chivayo for his friendship.