By Mbulaheni Mojapelo
HE lived in the fast lane and died high above.
The news reports of the death of millionaire businessman Wicknell Chivayo has for the last two hours been dominating Zimbabwe’s social media annd mostly WhatsApp.
The information that Chivayo and his wife Lucy “Lulu” Muteke, died in a helicopter crash is indeed accurate as has been confirmed from several credible sources including government outlets.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and government officials confirmed that the crash occurred in the Marondera Rural area at approximately 17:00 hours on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.
Almost every group, online news channel, radio and television stations in Zimbabwe are beaming the same story.
Other reports also quoted family spokesperson Herbert Chivayo confirming what could be Zimbabwe’s biggest story.
He confirmed to the state-run Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation.
According to the news, there were no survivors among the occupants, which included the prominent businessman, his wife, passengers, and the crew.
Chivayo, known for his government contracts, flashy lifestyle, and political connections, recently donated a bus to a branch of his church in Beitbridge where he also donated a car to Madzibaba Tonde, a well known religious leader.
Born Wicknell Munodaani Chivayo on November 22, 1982, in Chivhu, Zimbabwe, he lost his father at age ten and left school early due to a lack of money.
He started working as a young teenager and built an early fortune in foreign exchange and trading.
He later founded Intratrek Zimbabwe, an energy and infrastructure company which became his vehicle to fame and money.
His company won major government projects, including the high-profile Gwanda Solar Power Project and supplies o different government arms including the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.
He expanded his business interests into South Africa, Kenya, and Tanzania and was often seen posing for pictures with Heads of States.
In 2004, he was convicted of fraud and served a prison sentence at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison.
He faced years of court battles regarding advance payments for the Gwanda project before being acquitted in 2024.
He had serious political ties and his critics accused him of using his close relationships with ruling party officials in ZANU-PF and other African leaders to secure lucrative state deals, though he denied any wrongdoing.
He had an extravagant display of wealth and known publicly as “Sir Wicknell,” he frequently posted photos of luxury sports cars, private jets, and large piles of cash on social media.
Chivayo was well-known for giving expensive gifts, cars, and cash donations to musicians, church members of the Johanne Masowe sect, and community groups.
His bottomless source of cash remained a mystery to many till his death and several theories will live long after him.
One of his last achievements was convincing Government critic Thomas Mapfumo to accept his gift of a car, cash and a house veiled as payment of musical gigs.
He died before the show.