South African author Jackie Phamotse has sparked a debate online after analysing the final days of Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo, who died in a helicopter crash alongside his wife, Lucy, on September 30, 2026.
Phamotse shared her thoughts on October 1, focusing on Chivayo’s activities and religious engagements in the days immediately before his death.
Her post appeared to suggest that some of his final movements pointed to a sense of urgency, although she did not provide evidence establishing why Chivayo was making those visits or what motivated his alleged financial activities.
Chivayo, who would have turned 46 in November, died when his helicopter crashed in a rural area near Marondera, Zimbabwe, at around 5pm while he and Lucy were reportedly travelling to Harare.
Family spokesman Herbert Chivayo confirmed the deaths, while police confirmed the crash but did not immediately identify everyone who was on board.
Jackie Phamotse analyses Chivayo’s final movements
In the days before the fatal crash, Chivayo was seen spending time with several prominent religious figures.
On September 25, Chivayo and Lucy hosted Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa for dinner at their home.
The following day, Chivayo attended the House of Treasures Church Conference led by Apostle Felix Okoh, where he also met Apostle Joshua Selman.
Phamotse focused on these encounters in her social media post, suggesting that Chivayo appeared to be urgently seeking favour from people within religious circles.
She wrote:
“Whatever he knew pushed him to rush to all his pastor friends. He was moving money as much as he could, from wedding gifts, church gifts and random people in the streets, etc. It was like he wanted to buy favour. Maybe even buying time.”
Phamotse did not provide evidence in the post to establish that Chivayo knew he was going to die or that his religious visits and alleged money movements were connected to the eventual helicopter crash.
Jackie Phamotse speaks about Chivayo’s life
Phamotse went on to suggest that examining Chivayo’s movements before his death could offer insight into his life and the way he conducted his affairs.
She wrote:
“The tale is in tracing back his steps. There is a certain dignity that comes with people who are true in their line of work. Grace follows them, but there is always this darkness that follows people who operate in the darkness. Their lives mean nothing when death arrives.”
Her comments generated significant discussion because of the timing of Chivayo’s religious engagements and the questions that have previously surrounded his wealth and business activities.
However, her characterisation of Chivayo’s activities remains her interpretation, rather than a confirmed account of his motives.
Read Jackie Phamotse’s original post
Whatever he knew pushed him to rush to all his pastor friends. He was moving money as much as he could, from wedding gifts, church gifts and random people in the streets etc. It was like, he wanted to buy favour. Maybe even buying time. The tale is in tracing back his steps. There is a certain dignity that comes with people that are true in their line of work. Grace follows them, but there is always this darkness that follows people that operate in the darkness. Their lives mean nothing when death arrives.
— Jackie Phamotse (@JackiePhamotse) October 1, 2026
The post quickly attracted attention from social media users, who offered differing views on her analysis.
Social Media Users React
Some users challenged Phamotse’s interpretation, while others used the discussion to raise questions about Chivayo’s spending, donations and legacy.
@RudyMFK disagreed with her assessment, writing:
“Your analysis is wrong. There was no time or favours that Chivayo was buying; everything he did was out of a pure heart. Chivayo was probed earlier by Zimbabwe’s Anti-Corruption Commission for suspected corruption & money laundering, but no foul play was found.”
The comment referred to an alleged investigation into Chivayo. The user’s statement about the outcome should be understood as their account rather than independent confirmation within Phamotse’s post.
Another user, @TruePamgam, responded:
“And those that took those cars, if I were in those churches, this would be the time to escape with my soul intact.”
The discussion also turned to Chivayo’s well-known spending habits.
@CashoutChampion wrote:
“With all the cars he gave away, he built nothing to remember him. He gave away over $50 million in cars or cash, yet couldn’t even build a school or hospital. The time came when his lawyer refused his gift here on X.”
The claim about the amount Chivayo allegedly gave away was made by the commenter and is not independently established by the post.
Not everyone joined the debate about Chivayo’s legacy.
@wealthyhun shifted the conversation towards Phamotse’s work, asking:
“I want to buy your books. Which one would you advise I start with?”
Another user, @dexphoniks3601, offered a brief response:
“You reap what you sow.”
Phamotse’s post has added to the ongoing online discussion surrounding Chivayo’s final days, with social media users continuing to interpret his movements and reflect on his public life following his death.
