Questions over whether Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy Muteke, will be laid to rest in coffins have emerged ahead of their burial, as the Johane Masowe eChishanu church’s traditional rites do not allow members to be buried in coffins.
The question has now been answered, with church leader Madzibaba Lawrence Katsiru confirming that the couple will be buried in coffins, marking a departure from the church’s usual practice.
Speaking, during an interview on Thursday, October 8, 2026, Katsiru explained that the condition of the couple’s remains following the crash necessitated the use of coffins.
He said the remains underwent forensic DNA procedures to establish their identities, meaning the church had to make an exception to its usual burial practice.
“Kana munhu ane state yekukuvara seyakaita Baba Wicknell nemadzimai Lucy, we bury them in their coffins,” Katsiru said.
The church leader added that the burial would still be conducted according to Johane Masowe eChishanu rites while following guidance from health experts.
“We will follow what the health experts say, but once we receive the bodies, we will bury them in their coffins in a proper way that will not disturb anything,” he added.
Katsiru further explained that the family had entrusted the church with the bodies for the final rites.
“We are the owners of the body; the family surrendered the bodies to us, so we will treat the bodies the way we do in our tradition,” he said.
Inside Chivayo’s Rolls-Royce-inspired coffin
Chivayo’s coffin has already attracted attention because of its distinctive car-inspired design, featuring a Rolls-Royce-style grille and the marking WMC 777.
The customised coffin reflects the businessman’s well-known association with luxury vehicles and was designed with details resembling the front of a Rolls-Royce.
Chivayo’s body had been placed in the customised coffin ahead of his burial.
His coffin was also draped in the Zimbabwean national flag after he was declared a provincial hero.
Lucy’s Mercedes-Benz-inspired coffin
Lucy’s coffin also features a luxury-car-inspired design, with details resembling a Mercedes-Benz.
The designs of the two coffins have drawn attention as family, friends, church members and mourners gather to bid farewell to the couple.
Their coffin burials will also mark a departure from the usual Johane Masowe eChishanu practice, with the church making an exception because of the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
Chivayo and Lucy are expected to be buried separately at Glen Forest Cemetery in Harare on Thursday, October 8,2026.
