A helicopter carrying a prominent businessman, other passengers and two pilots crashed in Zimbabwe’s Marondera rural area on Wednesday, September 30, leaving no survivors, the government said.
Government spokesperson Nick Mangwana confirmed the crash in a statement on X.
Police said the aircraft went down at about 5pm local time, equivalent to 6pm in Kenya, and emergency services were attending the scene.
“Current information indicates that there were no survivors in this crash,” the government said.
The crash occurred in Mashonaland East province. Zimbabwe’s state-owned newspaper, The Herald, reported that a prominent businessman was among six people killed.
Authorities had not publicly named the victims in the official statements available at the time of publication.
Local reports name Wicknell Chivayo
Zimbabwean outlet iHarare, citing ZimLive, reported that businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy “Lulu” Muteke, were among those killed.
However, their identities had not been formally confirmed by police.
The government’s announcement referred only to a high-profile businessman and said the Zimbabwe Republic Police would release the victims’ names.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police will confirm the names of the victims in due course,” the statement said.
Conflicting passenger figures
Initial accounts differed on the number of people aboard.
Police initially reported six occupants. The government statement shared with Y News also listed six people: one businessman, three other passengers and two pilots.
Government offers condolences
The government expressed sympathy to the families and friends of those killed.
“We extend our deepest condolences and prayers to the victims, their families, and their friends during this difficult time,” it said.
The statement did not disclose the cause of the crash, the helicopter’s operator or its intended route.
It also gave no details about the circumstances immediately before the aircraft went down.
Further information on the victims and the circumstances of the crash was still awaited from the authorities.
