Wicknell Chivayo, the Zimbabwean businessman who died in a helicopter crash in Marondera rural, was once captured on video beaming with joy during a scenic aerial journey, in footage that has since resurfaced as the country mourns his sudden passing.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed the crash occurred on the evening of September 30 and claimed six lives, among them Chivayo’s wife, Lucy Muteke. By press time, the identities of four of the six victims had yet to be established.
Chivayo’s Carefree Flight Captured on Camera
The undated clip shows the 42-year-old standing beside a helicopter, exchanging pleasantries with those around him in their local language before boarding.
Once airborne, Chivayo appeared completely at ease, pressing his phone against a small window as he filmed the landscape stretching out below.
A wide smile stayed on his face throughout, a picture of a man who clearly relished time in the air.
Given that Chivayo was well known for travelling frequently by air, both within Zimbabwe and internationally aboard private jets, pinpointing exactly when or where the footage was recorded has proved impossible.
Family spokesperson Herbert Chivayo broke the news to ZBC News, describing the mood among relatives as one of utter disbelief.
“We are at a loss of words after the tragic incident,” he told the national broadcaster in Harare.
ZRP Spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the crash and noted that six people had been on board at the time of the incident.
Police officers were among the first responders deployed to the scene. No further details regarding the other passengers were immediately available from authorities.
As tributes continue to pour in, the resurfaced footage offers a bittersweet glimpse of a man who appeared to love nothing more than soaring above his homeland, a passion that ultimately became intertwined with the circumstances of his death.
Prominent Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo, his wife, and four other occupants are feared dead following a helicopter crash in Marondera Rural, Zimbabwe, on Wednesday evening, September 30, 2026. https://t.co/fowJMBeiHO
— Cliff Oj (@Cliff_Oj) September 30, 2026
