Wicknell Chivayo Helicopter Crash Victims Identified by Zimbabwe Minister Tino Machakaire

Zimbabwe's Minister of Youth Empowerment Tino Machakaire officially named those who perished in a helicopter crash near MaronderaProminent businessman Wicknell Chivayo, his wife Lucy, a third passenger, and the flight crew were on board the Bell 430 helicopterAviation authorities launched a full investigation into the crash as the nation mourned the sudden loss of the victimsPAY ATTENTION: Mark YEN.com.gh as a preferred source, and our content will appear higher in your Google feed!

Zimbabwean cabinet minister Tino Machakaire has formally named the victims of a fatal helicopter crash that occurred near Marondera, east of Harare, sending shockwaves across the country.

Among those confirmed dead are businessman Wicknell Chivayo, popularly known as "Sir Wicknell", his wife Lucy Chivayo (née Muteke), and Ms Senelisiwe Magagula.

Minister Machakaire, who serves as Zimbabwe's Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, released a deeply personal statement following the formal identification of the victims.

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He closed with a message of comfort to the bereaved:

The Bell 430 aircraft was carrying six people in total when it went down in the Marondera region.

Wicknell Chivayo, who was 43 years old at the time of his death, had been one of Zimbabwe's most recognisable public figures, widely known for his lavish lifestyle and prominent social media presence.

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Aviation authorities and law enforcement agencies have since opened a full investigation into the wreckage to establish the cause of the crash.

In a related development, YEN.com.gh reported earlier that a prominent Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy Muteke, died after their private helicopter crashed at Kudenga Farm in rural Marondera on Wednesday, September 30.

All six people on board were killed in the crash, which occurred about 40 minutes after the helicopter had departed from Gandami in Chikomba District.

ZBC News footage from the crash site showed charred wreckage and debris, sparking widespread concern and debate among Zimbabweans online.

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Salifu Bagulube Moro (Human-Interest Editor) Salifu Bagulube Moro is a Current Affairs Editor at YEN.com.gh. He has over five years of experience in journalism. He graduated from the Ghana Institute of Journalism in 2018, where he obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Studies with a specialization in Journalism. Salifu previously worked with Opera News as a Content Management Systems (CMS) Editor. He also worked as an Online Reporter for the Ghanatalksbusiness.com news portal, as well as with the Graphic Communications Group Limited as a National Service Person. Salifu joined YEN.com.gh in 2024. Email: [email protected].