South African broadcaster Sizwe Dhlomo has reacted to disturbing images showing the remains of Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo being collected in plastic bags following a fatal helicopter crash. Chivayo, a prominent Zimbabwean businessman known for his lavish lifestyle and high-profile business dealings, died on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, when the helicopter he was travelling in crashed near Marondera at around 5pm. He was 45 and would have turned 46 in November.
Sizwe Dhlomo reacted to the images on Thursday, October 1, after Zimbabwean publication ZimLive reported that the burials of the five victims could be delayed because forensic teams were still working to match human tissue recovered from the crash site. Dhlomo's comment drew further attention to the grim circumstances surrounding the recovery of the victims following the crash. He wrote: “They're carrying them like chops from a slaghuis! 😩😩😩” “Slaghuis” is an Afrikaans word for a butchery or slaughterhouse.
The helicopter crash claimed five lives, including Chivayo, his wife Lucy “Lulu” Muteke, her aide Senelisiwe Magagula, and the two pilots, Captain Kelvin T. Soda and Captain Courage Mutavirwa. Zimbabwean police confirmed that a helicopter had crashed but did not immediately release the identities of everyone on board. Chivayo was travelling to Harare when the aircraft went down in a rural area near Marondera, according to family spokesman Herbert Chivayo.
Dhlomo's reaction prompted a wave of responses from South Africans, Zimbabweans and other social media users. Some commenters focused on the difficult nature of recovering human remains after a serious aircraft accident, while others used the tragedy to reflect on Chivayo's public life and the broader issue of wealth and mortality. The reactions highlight the different ways people online have responded to Chivayo's death, from grief and reflection on mortality to criticism of his public image and wealth.
One user, @EueUnbothered, connected the images to previous criticism of Chivayo's spending, writing: “A testament to what he stood for while alive. When we asked why they are buying cars for people instead of funnelling that money towards state service delivery improvement, wathi yena we shld not dictate to him how to use his money. Nanzo ke imisebenzi yakhe sethwele nge plastic.” The comment referred to past public debates over Chivayo's spending and philanthropy.
Other commenters used the tragedy to reflect on the temporary nature of wealth and life. @PatienceSMoyo1 wrote: “There's a lesson there. Live life with humility because all is vanity 👏🏾” Another commenter, @mapheto_tsietsi, made a more critical statement about Chivayo and Zimbabwe: “They were busy looting the state resources; now they treat their remains like garbage 🗑. 😐”
As forensic teams continue their work following the crash, the circumstances surrounding the accident and the recovery of the victims remain under investigation. The incident has sparked a national conversation about wealth, mortality, and the fleeting nature of material possessions. Sizwe Dhlomo's comments have added fuel to the debate, highlighting the complexities of public perception and private lives.
Key points
- Sizwe Dhlomo reacts to images of Wicknell Chivayo's remains being collected in plastic bags.
- The helicopter crash claimed five lives, including Chivayo and his wife.
- Social media users respond with mixed reactions, reflecting on wealth, mortality, and Chivayo's public image.
