Controversial Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo, popularly known as "Sir Wicknell", has died in a helicopter crash alongside his wife and several others. The incident occurred on Wednesday as they were reportedly travelling back to Harare after leaving his rural homestead in Gandami, Chikomba district. The helicopter went down due to poor weather and visibility.
Tributes have been pouring in for Chivayo, a flamboyant and flashy businessman who cultivated close ties with several African leaders, including Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Mnangagwa expressed his deep shock and grief in a statement on X, while Kenya's President William Ruto, a friend of Chivayo, also expressed sadness at his passing.
Chivayo, 43, was known for his lavish lifestyle, often showcasing his luxury cars, designer clothing, and lavish gifts on social media. He also posted pictures of himself with several African leaders, including Eswatini's King Mswati and Uganda's Yoweri Museveni. However, his close ties with Mnangagwa and other leaders did not necessarily translate to a clean bill of health for his business dealings.
Chivayo had a chequered career, with critics frequently citing him as an example of a small elite class that benefited from government-linked contracts under Zimbabwe's long-ruling Zanu-PF party. He denied allegations of corruption but was jailed for several years after a 2005 conviction as part of a money-laundering case.
In recent years, Chivayo had faced scrutiny over his business dealings, including a 2018 arrest over the alleged misuse of a $5.6m advance payment tied to a solar power project. Although a magistrate struck the case off the court roll in 2023, citing delays by prosecutors, Chivayo's business dealings remained under scrutiny.
At the time of his death, Chivayo's assets in South Africa had been frozen, reportedly in a cross-border divorce and matrimonial property dispute brought by his ex-wife. His assets included a R160m Cape Town mansion he had recently purchased in Clifton, Cape Town, which boasted panoramic views of Table Mountain.
Investigations into the helicopter crash are ongoing, with police carrying out DNA tests due to the severe damage to the bodies. Chivayo's legacy, marked by both lavish spending and controversy, has sparked a mix of reactions from those who knew him and those who followed his rise and fall.
Key points
- Wicknell Chivayo died in a helicopter crash alongside his wife and others on Wednesday.
- Chivayo was known for his close ties with several African leaders and his lavish lifestyle.
- His business dealings were marked by controversy, including allegations of corruption and money laundering.
