Tanzania President Samia Suluhu mourns Chivayo

Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has mourned the death of controversial Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo, describing him as a young and visionary entrepreneur.

Chivayo died on Wednesday, 30 September 2026, when his helicopter crashed in Marondera, east of Harare. He was travelling with his wife, Lucy Muteke, two pilots and a security aide. All five were killed.

In a message posted on social media, Suluhu said: “It is with great sorrow that I mourn the passing of Zimbabwean businessman Mr Wicknell Chivayo, his beloved wife, and three other people who tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash in Marondera.

“Zimbabwe and Africa have lost a young and visionary entrepreneur who touched the lives of many.

“On behalf of the Government and the people of the United Republic of Tanzania, I convey our deepest and heartfelt condolences to His Excellency Emmerson Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe; the Chivayo family, the families of all those who lost their loved ones and the people of Zimbabwe.”

In recent months, Chivayo shared photographs of himself with Suluhu at State House in Tanzania, a woman he affectionately called “mother”

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