By Enyichukwu Enemanna
A helicopter carrying a prominent businessman, his wife and four others have crashed in Zimbabwe’s Marondera rural area, east of Harare, killing all on board, government spokesperson Nick Mangwana said on X.
Mangwana said the helicopter was carrying the high-profile businessman, Wicknell Chivayo, his wife Lucy Muteke, three passengers and two pilots.
He had earlier said it was carrying four passengers but later edited his post on X.
He said the police would confirm the identities of the victims in due course.
Some local online media have however confirmed that Chivayo, a close ally of Kenya’s President, William Ruto was among those on board.
Police had earlier said an aircraft carrying six people crashed in the area at around 1700 local time and that emergency services were attending the scene.
Police spokesperson Paul Nyathi said that the bodies were badly burned and authorities needed to formally identify the victims.
Ruto in a social media post late Wednesday described the late Chivayo as his friend, saying his death was a painful loss.
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic passing of my friend, Wicknell Chivayo, together with his wife, Lucy Muteke, and the other lives lost in the helicopter crash in Zimbabwe. Their sudden departure is a painful loss to their families, friends and all who knew them.
“Wicknell was a dear friend whose warmth touched many people. I will remember him for his friendship, his energy and his deep conviction in the possibilities of our continent”, he stated.
