Businessman Wicknell Munodaani Chivayo and his wife, Lucy Rujeko Muteke, were among five people who died when a helicopter crashed at Kudenga Farm in Marondera on Wednesday afternoon.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed the identities of all five occupants in a statement issued on Thursday, following investigations at the crash scene by forensic scientists and aviation experts.
The other victims were identified as Saneliswe Magagula, pilot Calvin Tafirei Soda and co-pilot Courage Mutavirwa.
Police said investigations are underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash.
“The Police therefore confirms that the helicopter had five occupants, namely; Wicknell Munodaani Chivhayo, Lucy Rujeko Muteke, Saneliswe Magagula, Calvin Tafirei Soda (pilot) and Courage Mutavirwa (co-pilot),” the ZRP said.
The police said further information would be released as investigations progress and expressed condolences to the bereaved families.
President Mnangagwa mourns victims:
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has also expressed his condolences to the families of those who died in the crash, describing the incident as a sudden and tragic loss. In a condolence message issued on Thursday, Mnangagwa said the deaths had left him, his family and the nation in shock and grief.
“The sudden and unexpected tragic passing on of Mr and Mrs Chivayo, two crew members and a security aide in a helicopter crash yesterday afternoon left our Nation, my family, and me personally numbed and in deep shock and grief,” Mnangagwa said.
The President paid tribute to the Chivayo family for its charitable work and said the family had supported people across various sectors.
“Consummately philanthropic, the Chivayo Family touched so many lives in our Nation through its countless acts of charity and generosity which ran into millions of dollars, and which motivated and transformed countless lives,” he said.
Mnangagwa also spoke about Chivayo’s plans for the country, saying he had personally been aware of several projects the businessman intended to undertake.
According to the President, Chivayo had shared some of these plans with him during a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, a day before the fatal crash.
“The late Wicknell Chivayo had a grand vision for his family, for our country, for the Southern African subregion and for our African continent,” Mnangagwa said.
Mnangagwa extended his condolences to the Chivayo family and the families of the other victims, saying the nation stood with them during their time of grief.
“We mourn with and stand by them in this hour of deep, inconsolable grief and pain,” he said.
He urged the bereaved families to find comfort in the work and service rendered by the deceased.
The Chivayos were travelling back from Gandami in rural Chikomba, where they had been putting up modern family and community structures, when the crash occurred.
Meanwhile, police and relevant aviation experts are continuing with investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The ZRP said the crash scene had been attended by forensic scientists and other aviation experts as part of the investigation.The cause of the crash has not yet been established.
The police said more information would be released as investigations unfold.
