Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo has died after a private helicopter he was travelling in crashed in Marondera Rural, Zimbabwe, on Wednesday evening.
Zimbabwe’s main broadcaster, ZBC News, reported that Chivayo was travelling with five other people when the helicopter crashed.
Family spokesperson Herbert Chivayo confirmed the death of the businessman and his wife, Lucy Muteke.
He told ZBC News that the family was “at a loss for words” following the tragic incident. Reports indicate that also dead are Chivayo’s two children who were aboard the plane.
Zimbabwe Republic Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi also confirmed the crash, saying the helicopter had six occupants.
The Zimbabwean Government had earlier confirmed that a helicopter carrying a high-profile businessman, three other passengers and two pilots had crashed, with initial information indicating there were no survivors.
“The Government wishes to confirm that a helicopter crash has occurred, involving one high-profile businessman, three other passengers, and two pilots. Current information indicates that there were no survivors in this crash,” the government said.
The government said the Zimbabwe Republic Police would confirm the names of the victims in due course.
Chivayo was well known in Kenya for his close ties with President William Ruto. The Zimbabwean businessman had on several occasions been pictured with Ruto and was a frequent visitor to Kenya.
The circumstances surrounding the crash and the identities of the other victims are yet to be fully established.
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