Staff ReporterFlamboyant, ambitious, and well-connected, Zimbabwean socialite and tycoon Wicknell Chivayo is no more. Chivayo died with his wife, Lucy Muteke, and several others in a helicopter crash in Marondera, east of Harare, on Wednesday, 30 September.
He was one of the most recognisable figures among Zimbabwe’s new class of conspicuously wealthy businessmen, often describing himself as a “centi millionaire”, with ambitions of becoming a dollar billionaire.
The tycoon was known for his flamboyant lifestyle and extravagant displays of wealth, with high profile giveaways of luxury cars and cash becoming part of his public image.
Chivayo also moved in powerful circles, rubbing shoulders with African heads of state, including Zimbabwe’s Emmerson Mnangagwa, South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa, Kenya’s William Ruto, Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Hassan and Nigeria’s Bola Tinubu.
In one recent show of closeness, Ruto was seen in a viral video personally driving Chivayo during his visit to Kenya for the traditional engagement ceremony of Ruto's daughter, Charlene. Following Chivayo's death, Ruto paid tribute, saying he was ‘’deeply saddened’’ by the passing of a ‘’dear friend whose warmth touched many people’’.
Chivayo was involved in infrastructure and energy, securing lucrative government contracts in several countries. He was the founder of Intratrek Zimbabwe Ltd, a firm focused on engineering and renewable energy.
However, he was controversial, having spent three years in jail two decades ago on a money-laundering conviction.
Chivayo's name was also repeatedly mentioned in connection with recent questionable contracts in Kenya and Zimbabwe, although he was not charged.
His death in the crash shocked many across southern and eastern Africa.
Zimbabwe's state broadcaster ZBC quoted family spokesperson Herbert Chivayo as saying five people were on board, including the tycoon's aide and two pilots.
Government spokesman Nick Mangwana earlier said six were on board the private helicopter.
Authorities say there were no survivors and the cause of the crash is not yet known, with the Zimbabwean police saying an investigation would be carried out.
Chivayo and his wife were travelling from their rural home in Gandami to Harare, about 144 kilometres away, where they had been building a mansion ahead of his 44th birthday in November.
Legendary Zimbabwean Musician Thomas Mapfumo had arrived from the US this week for $1 million birthday shows, the first visit of the 81-year-old to Zimbabwe in over a decade. The plans are now shattered as condolences pour in.
