Soldiers Reportedly Deployed to Guard Wicknell Chivayo’s Harare Mansion After His Death

Armed military personnel were allegedly stationed at Wicknell Chivayo's Gletwin mansion shortly after news of his helicopter crash brokeInvestigative journalist Maynard Manyowa alleged the deployment was linked to concerns about who might access the estate and its contentsThe couple's funeral arrangements were also changed, with the service moved from the mansion to a relative's homeGhana’s top stories, now easier to find. Discover our new search feature!

Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo had barely been confirmed dead before reports emerged that soldiers had been sent to his upmarket Harare home.

Armed soldiers reportedly stationed at Wicknell Chivayo’s Gletwin mansion after his fatal helicopter crash, as funeral plans shifted amid unverified claims. Image credit: UGC Source: UGCChivayo, his wife Lucy Muteke, widely known as Lulu, and three others lost their lives in a helicopter crash on September 30, 2026.

The other victims were identified as Senelisiwe Magagula, Captain Kelvin T Soda, and Captain Courage Mutavirwa.

Investigative journalist Maynard Manyowa alleged that armed military personnel were deployed to the couple's residence in Harare's Gletwin suburb shortly after the news of the crash broke.

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He framed the reported deployment not as a routine security measure but as a move to prevent valuable items at the property from being removed or going missing in the immediate aftermath of the deaths.

Manyowa further alleged that the Tanzanian president offered to send personal aides to help secure the mansion, a claim that, if accurate, would suggest considerable interest in the property's contents extended well beyond Zimbabwe's borders.

No government or military authority has publicly addressed either allegation, and the claims remain unverified.

The X post below provides more details about the alleged deployment of soldiers to Wicknell Chivayo’s mansion following his demise.

The reported military presence coincided with a shift in funeral arrangements.

Rather than holding the service at the Gletwin property, the family moved the venue to a relative's home. Several social media users drew a direct connection between the two developments.

Heartbreaking scenes as Wicknell Chivayo’s loved ones gather to mourn him

Reactions online were pointed and varied.

@KRangarirai pushed back against the narrative, writing:

@Mathuthu offered a different explanation for the venue change:

Security aide recounts the final words before the helicopter crash that killed five, as Wicknell Chivayo’s pilot struggled in the clouds before silence. Image credit: Pilot Institute, Wicknell Chivayo Source: UGCWicknell: Pilot's last words before crash surfacesEarlier, YEN.com.gh reported that a security aide attached to Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo has given a harrowing account of the last radio transmissions made by a pilot before a helicopter crash that killed five people on September 30, 2026.

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The aide, who was aboard a separate helicopter on the same return journey, said conditions in the sky deteriorated sharply while both aircraft were in the air.

The pilot carrying Chivayo suggested rerouting through Bromley to avoid the worsening weather.

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Ruth Sekyi (Entertainment Editor) Ruth Esi Amfua Sekyi is a Human Interest Editor at YEN.com.gh with 4+ years’ experience across radio, print, TV, and digital media. She holds a B.A. in Communications (PR) from UNIMAC-IJ. Her media career began at Radio GIJ (campus radio), followed by Prime News Ghana. At InstinctWave, she worked on business content, playing major role in events organized by the company. She also worked with ABC News GH, updating their site, served as Production Assistant. In 2025, Ruth completed the ECOWAS, GIZ, and MFWA Information Integrity training. Email: [email protected]