Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy, died in a helicopter crash near Marondera, Zimbabwe, on September 30, 2026. The couple were traveling towards Harare when their helicopter crashed in a rural area at around 5 pm. Chivayo, 45, was a prominent figure known for his lavish lifestyle and frequent displays of luxury items on social media. His death has sparked an outpouring of reactions online.
Swiss luxury watchmaker Jacob & Co had featured Chivayo prominently on its social media platforms after he visited its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, in July 2026. During the visit, Chivayo reportedly spent approximately $4.3 million on luxury watches, including the Billionaire Double Tourbillon, valued at about $3.4 million. The company shared content highlighting Chivayo's visit and his purchases, but those posts have now reportedly been removed from its Instagram account.
The removal of the posts has prompted speculation on social media, with some users questioning whether Jacob & Co was trying to distance itself from Chivayo due to controversy surrounding his wealth and business dealings. However, the removal of the posts alone does not establish that Jacob & Co was involved in any wrongdoing, nor does it provide evidence of wrongdoing by Chivayo. The company has not publicly explained why the content featuring Chivayo was removed.
Chivayo's wealth and business dealings have been the subject of public debate in Zimbabwe, with questions and allegations circulating over the years. These claims have been widely discussed, but they should not be presented as established facts without supporting evidence. His high-profile relationship with luxury brands was part of his public image, making the reported removal of the Jacob & Co posts particularly noticeable to social media users.
The news of Chivayo's death and the removal of the Jacob & Co posts has sparked a range of reactions online. Some social media users have expressed surprise and sadness at his death, while others have raised questions about the circumstances surrounding his wealth and business dealings. The incident has also sparked debate about the relationship between luxury brands and high-profile individuals.
According to reports, Chivayo's Instagram followers have surged since his death, with many people expressing shock and sadness at the news. The incident has also raised questions about the legacy of Chivayo and his business empire. Zimbabwean police have released a statement confirming the death of Chivayo and his wife, and an investigation into the cause of the helicopter crash is ongoing.
An unburnt pair of white designer shoes was found at the crash site, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding the incident. The incident has sparked a range of reactions online, with many people expressing shock and sadness at the news of Chivayo's death. Jacob & Co has not publicly commented on the removal of the posts, but the incident has raised questions about the relationship between luxury brands and high-profile individuals.
Key points
- Luxury watchmaker Jacob & Co removes Instagram posts featuring Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo after his death in a helicopter crash.
- Wicknell Chivayo and his wife died in a helicopter crash near Marondera, Zimbabwe, on September 30, 2026.
- The removal of the posts has prompted speculation on social media about Jacob & Co's relationship with Chivayo.