Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa made an unusual 260km journey by motorcade to Mutare on Friday, October 3, to attend a graduation ceremony at Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences (MSUAS). This change in travel plans came two days after the death of businessman Wicknell Chivayo, a close associate of the president, in a helicopter crash. Mnangagwa served as the guest of honor at the ceremony.
According to presidential spokesman George Charamba, the decision to travel by road was due to poor weather conditions that made air travel unsafe. Charamba cited "murky weather" as a challenge to air travel, except for fixed-wing craft. The weather conditions were particularly severe in the area where Chivayo's helicopter crashed, with witnesses describing the scene as being blanketed in cloud and mist, severely limiting visibility.
Wicknell Chivayo, a millionaire businessman known for his close ties to the presidency, died on Wednesday, September 30, in a helicopter crash near a farm outside Marondera. The helicopter was carrying Chivayo, his wife Lucy Muteke, her aide, a pilot, and a co-pilot. Air crash investigators have not yet released their findings into the cause of the crash.
After attending the graduation ceremony, President Mnangagwa's motorcade stopped at Chivayo's home in Gletwin, Harare, where hundreds of mourners had gathered. Mnangagwa addressed the crowd, expressing personal grief over the loss of his friend and close associate. He described Chivayo as a man of grand vision, not just for his family but for Zimbabwe and the wider African continent.
During his address at Chivayo's home, Mnangagwa spoke candidly about his bond with the businessman, stating that he was hurt by his loss. The president declared Chivayo a provincial hero, a designation that entitles his family to state-funded funeral arrangements. Mnangagwa also paid tribute to the other four individuals who died in the crash, describing the crew members as "promising" and the security aide as "dedicated."
Chivayo's ex-wife, Sonja Madzikanda, visited the Chivayo family home in Gletwin, Harare, to pay her respects alongside her mother and other mourners. Despite their separation, Sonja's appearance reflected the personal ties that remained after Chivayo's death. The businessman’s passing prompted tributes from Zimbabweans and Kenyans, while his Instagram following continued to grow.
President Mnangagwa's decision to travel by road to Mutare, rather than by air, was a notable change in his usual travel plans. The president's motorcade traveled a total distance of 520km to and from Mutare, a journey that would have normally been completed by air. The change in plans was seen as a sign of respect for Chivayo, who was a close associate of the president.
Key points
- President Mnangagwa traveled 520km by road to Mutare due to poor weather conditions.
- Wicknell Chivayo was declared a provincial hero by President Mnangagwa.
- Chivayo died in a helicopter crash near Marondera on September 30.
