Details of the Owner of the Helicopter That Killed Wicknell Chivayo Emerge at Funeral

Mourners at a funeral in Chiredzi learned something on Sunday that has since set Zimbabwe talking. The helicopter that crashed and killed businessman Wicknell Chivayo did not belong to him.

The information came out at the burial of Captain Calvin Tafirei Soda, one of the two pilots who died in the crash. Youth Minister Tino Machakaire introduced businessman Themba Nkatazo to the gathering.

Nkatazo is the founder and chief executive of Valley Seeds Private Limited, an agricultural company. He also owns Sky Helicopters, a private firm that hires out aircraft to executives, politicians and wealthy socialites.

It was through Sky Helicopters that Chivayo hired the aircraft. He was one of the company’s regular customers, so the machine that went down on Wednesday, September 30, was rented and not owned by him.

Chivayo, his wife Lucy Muteke, her personal assistant and the two pilots, Captain Soda and Captain Courage Mutavirwa, all died in the crash. Both pilots were buried on the same day.

The news landed hard online. Many Zimbabweans questioned whether the image of a fabulously rich man matched what he actually held. One user wrote that the billionaire was not real because the chopper was hired.

Another said he had been living a fake life. A third pointed out that reports had already suggested his house was not fully his either, since a large part of the price of his Harare mansion was still unpaid.

Not everyone focused on the money. One commentator argued that public figures need better communication advice, because the way a message is delivered can bury the message itself.

Still, hiring a helicopter is common among the wealthy, and it does not prove he lacked riches. What it shows is that Chivayo, who spoke of buying three helicopters, had not yet taken delivery of one. The full picture of his wealth will likely come out as his estate is sorted.

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