HARARE, Oct. 4 – Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has expressed deep grief following the death of businessman Wicknell Chivayo, his wife Lucy “Lulu” Muteke Chivayo, two helicopter crew members and a security aide in a helicopter crash in rural Marondera.
The crash occurred on Wednesday afternoon, leaving the Chivayo family and the country mourning the deaths of the five people.
Mnangagwa, writing on Thursday, October 1, described the deaths as a sudden and unexpected tragedy that had left him, his family and the nation “numbed and in deep shock and grief”.
“We are all shattered by this unexpected, sudden demise of so young a family and officers for whom so much promise held,” he said.
The President described the Chivayo family as deeply philanthropic, saying its charitable work had touched numerous lives across Zimbabwe through donations and other acts of generosity running into millions of dollars.
He said Chivayo’s generosity extended across several areas of Zimbabwean society, including politics, religion, public service, culture, sport and other professions.
Mnangagwa also described the late businessman as a man who had a broad vision for his family, Zimbabwe, the Southern African region and Africa.
“The late Wicknell Chivayo had a grand vision for his family, for our country, for the Southern African subregion and for our African continent, in pursuit of which he, in his own way, deepened our programme of engagement and re-engagement, thus raising the Zimbabwean flag high,” Mnangagwa said.
The President said Chivayo represented what he described as the Second Republic’s approach to indigenous enterprise combined with social responsibility.
“Indeed, he embodied the Second Republic’s ethos of indigenous enterprise tempered with a human face, an admirable legacy which is sure to inspire a generation,” he said.
Mnangagwa said he was personally aware of several plans Chivayo had been developing for Zimbabwe, particularly initiatives intended to benefit disadvantaged communities and war veterans.
According to the President, Chivayo had discussed some of those plans with him on Tuesday, following a Cabinet meeting, only a day before the fatal helicopter crash.
The circumstances surrounding the family’s final journey also featured in Mnangagwa’s tribute. He said the Chivayos had been returning from Gandami in rural Chikomba, where they were involved in the construction of modern family and community structures.
Mnangagwa linked the project to Zimbabwe’s rural development agenda, which promotes investment, industrialisation, development and transformation outside the country’s major urban centres.
He said Chivayo’s work therefore aligned with broader national development objectives.
On Friday evening, Mnangagwa, accompanied by senior government officials, visited the Chivayo family home in Gletwyn, Harare, to personally convey condolences to the bereaved family.
“ This evening, senior government officials, and I visited the Chivayo family home in Gletwyn, Harare, to offer our deepest personal condolences following the sudden and tragic passing of Mr. Wicknell Chivayo, his wife Lucy “Lulu” Muteke-Chivayo, and three others.”
The President again described the helicopter accident as a national tragedy, saying it had left Zimbabwe “numbed and in deep shock and grief”.
He said Chivayo’s ambitions extended beyond his immediate family to Zimbabwe and the wider African continent, while describing the Chivayo family’s philanthropy as having had an impact on public service, religion, culture and sport.
“Wicknell was a man of grand vision, not just for his family, but for Zimbabwe and the wider African continent. The Chivayo family’s deep patriotism and selfless philanthropy transformed numerous lives across public service, religion, culture, and sport.”
Mnangagwa also paid tribute to the two helicopter crew members and security aide who died alongside the couple, describing them as promising and dedicated personnel.
The President offered condolences to all the affected families and called for unity, compassion and prayer as Zimbabwe comes to terms with the loss.
“During this moment of profound heartbreak, we stand together in unity, compassion, and prayer with the bereaved families. May the Almighty comfort them and grant collective strength to our nation.”
He also said the Chivayo family could draw comfort from the work and service rendered by those who died, which he said would continue to be remembered.
“May their dear souls rest in eternal peace.”
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