The moment Prophet Walter Magaya learned of the helicopter crash involving his close friend and prominent Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo made for one of the most raw, emotional scenes to emerge from the tragedy.
Footage captured Magaya standing before his congregation, visibly shaken as he struggled to process unconfirmed reports that a helicopter carrying Chivayo had just gone down.
“I’m not a carrier of good news right now,” Magaya told the crowd, his voice strained. “Not yet confirmed by the relatives or what. I’m also not sure yet. But it is said we can ignore the helicopter just now. Just now.”
The prophet then revealed that he had spoken to Chivayo only hours earlier, around 4pm, ahead of what was supposed to be a church event.
“I was talking to him around 4 p.m. Come on Friday. Come on Saturday,” he said, referring to Chivayo’s plans to attend the services.
Magaya’s desperate prayer for Chivayo
What made the clip go viral was Magaya’s repeated, desperate plea that the news turn out to be false.
“I want to be wrong on this one. I want to be wrong. I pray that I’m wrong,” he said several times before asking the congregation to join him in prayer.
The crash was later confirmed, with Chivayo dying alongside his wife and four other people on board.
Watch the video below:
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The video drew thousands of reactions from across the region, with many reflecting on what Chivayo meant to those around him.
Here are some of the comments from social media users:
@ttakuzw said:
“Say what you want he changed many people’s lives 🥂. He gave hope to many.”
@quadraey said:
“Let’s not forget the pilots and the other people who were involved RIP.🤯”
@pensive_t said:
“He didn’t get the advance notice huh.”
@tapsmarere said:
“Until the church stops bowing to money but to God, the only real Mukuru. May God rest his soul in peace.”
Chivayo and Magaya’s well-known bond
Chivayo had a very public and generous relationship with the prophet. In 2025, the businessman gifted Magaya a Mercedes-Benz GLS600 Maybach valued at US$450,000, along with US$100,000 in cash.
He also presented Mrs Magaya with a 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser 300 VXR and an additional US$50,000 in cash, framing the gifts as recognition of the ministry’s philanthropic work.
