Who Wicknell Chivayo Had Bought Helicopter From A Year Ago Before Tragedy At Kudenga Farm

New details have resurfaced on who Zimbabwean tycoon Wicknell Chivayo had bought the helicopter that killed him together with wife Lucy Muteke, his personal assistant and two pilots in a crash at Kudenga Farm, Marondera, in Mashonaland East Province.

Sources have revealed that the helicopter was a Bell 430, manufactured by American aerospace company Bell Textron, formerly known as Bell Helicopter.

The aircraft was reportedly built in 2004 and was among 136 Bell 430 helicopters produced between 1996 and 2008, before production of the model was stopped.

Before becoming the property of Chivayo, the helicopter reportedly changed hands several times. Sources say it had been owned by five different owners from Canada and the United States over a period of about 20 years.

Chivayo is said to have acquired the helicopter between mid-2024 and early 2025. At the time, the aircraft had an asking price of about $1.2 million.

The businessman reportedly bought the helicopter from South African company Emperor Aviation. After the purchase, it was registered in Zimbabwe under the registration number Z-EDP.

Chivayo operated the helicopter directly and continued using it in its original red-and-white colour scheme. He was seen flying the aircraft on several occasions across Zimbabwe, including during trips to his rural home at Gandami.

The businessman had been developing a large rural property there, which he described as a $1 million executive rural mansion and homestead.

The helicopter later became the centre of a major tragedy when it crashed at Kudenga Farm in Marondera. Chivayo, his wife Lucy, his personal assistant Senelisiwe Magagula and two pilots were killed in the accident.

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