ZANU PF has conferred provincial hero status on the late businessman Wicknell Chivayo following his death in a helicopter crash.
The honour was announced on Friday by Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Minister Tino Machakaire.
Machakaire said the decision recognised Chivayo’s contributions to ZANU PF, churches and communities around the country.
Later that evening, Mnangagwa visited the Chivayo family residence in Gletwin, Harare, where he personally conveyed his condolences to Chivayo’s two children and their mother, Sonja Madzikanda, his former wife.
Chivayo, his wife Lucy Muteke, aide Senelisiwe Magagula and pilots Captain Kelvin T. Soda and Captain Courage Mutavirwa died on Wednesday when their Bell 430 helicopter crashed at Kudenga Farm in rural Marondera.
The aircraft was travelling from Chikomba to Harare and came down about 40 minutes after take-off. Police confirmed that five people died in the crash.
Mnangagwa described Chivayo as a philanthropist whose donations had reached people across politics, religion, public service, culture, sport and other sectors.
The businessman had been an outspoken supporter of Mnangagwa and the ruling party, and of late had been referring to the President as Munhumutapa.
Aviation investigators are now examining the wreckage and the aircraft’s flight recorder to establish the cause of the crash.
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