Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy Muteke, were among six people killed in a helicopter crash east of Harare on Wednesday.
Police said the crash occurred in the Marondera rural area, about 72 kilometres east of the Zimbabwean capital, at around 3pm GMT.
Government spokesperson Nick Mangwana confirmed that the helicopter was carrying six people, including two pilots, but said authorities were still working to identify the victims.
“Current information indicates that there were no survivors in this crash,” Mangwana said.
Chivayo’s family spokesperson, Herbert Chivayo, later confirmed that the businessman and his wife were among those killed.
The helicopter reportedly crashed after leaving the couple’s family home in Gandami, about 144 kilometres from Harare, and burst into flames.
Chivayo, 43, was a prominent businessman known for his lavish lifestyle and close links to Zimbabwe’s ruling ZANU-PF party.
He frequently displayed his wealth on social media and was known for giving away luxury vehicles, cash and other gifts.
Weeks before his death, he reportedly donated a Rolls-Royce, Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon and Maybach to a Zimbabwean preacher and his wife.
He also previously donated $2 million in cash, along with buses and cars, to another church.
Chivayo’s company, Intratrek Zimbabwe, was awarded a government contract worth more than $170 million in 2015 to construct a 100-megawatt solar power plant in Gwanda.
The businessman had also served a three-year prison sentence about two decades ago following a money-laundering conviction.
Kenyan President William Ruto expressed sadness over Chivayo’s death, describing him as a “dear friend”.
Ruto extended his condolences to the families of all the victims, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the people of Zimbabwe.
