A video recorded on 21 September 2026 has resurfaced online, showing Wicknell Chivayo's brother appealing to a helicopter pilot to keep the businessman safe on his journey. The footage was filmed at an outdoor gathering connected to the Johane Masowe Chishanu religious community, with crowds and buses visible in the background. The video has sent a chill through many who have watched it, given the tragic events that unfolded less than a fortnight later.
The video was captured at an outdoor gathering where a red-and-white helicopter had touched down amid considerable excitement. In the clip, Chivayo's brother approached the aircraft's pilot and made a direct, heartfelt appeal for the businessman's safety during the journey ahead. Crowds of onlookers filled the surrounding area, many filming the moment on their phones as the helicopter sat at the centre of the commotion.
Buses bearing the name "Johane Masowe Chishanu" were visible in the background, placing the event within the context of that religious community's gathering. At the time the footage was recorded, the mood was light and festive, with nobody in the scene appearing to sense anything out of the ordinary. The arrival of the helicopter had drawn an energetic crowd, and the brother's words to the pilot seemed to be the kind of reassurance anyone might offer a family member embarking on a flight.
On 30 September 2026, Wicknell Chivayo, his wife Lucy Lulu Muteke, and three others were killed when a helicopter crashed near Marondera. The late Intratrek Zimbabwe Limited owner was widely recognised across Zimbabwe for his flamboyant lifestyle and prominent public presence. The incident has been a shock to many, given Chivayo's high profile and the sudden nature of his death.
The sharp contrast between Wicknell's brother's plea for safe passage and the tragedy that unfolded less than a fortnight later has made the video so difficult for many viewers to process. The moment that once looked like a brief, joyful exchange now carries a sorrow that nobody present could have anticipated. The video has sparked an outpouring of condolences and tributes to Chivayo and his wife.
In the aftermath of Chivayo's death, other videos have surfaced online, including one showing Chivayo and his wife appearing to give their lives to Christ before his death. Additionally, Poshy Queen leaked Chivayo's messages to her on Instagram days after his death, fuelling debate online about her motives and the messages' authenticity.
The incident has sparked widespread shock and sadness, with many paying tribute to Chivayo's memory. As more information emerges, it is clear that the video of Chivayo's brother's appeal to the pilot will remain a poignant reminder of the tragic events that unfolded.
Key points
- Wicknell Chivayo died in a helicopter crash near Marondera on 30 September 2026.
- A video shows Chivayo's brother appealing to the pilot for his safety nine days before the crash.
- The incident has sparked an outpouring of condolences and tributes to Chivayo and his wife.
