A team of forensic experts and investigators has been deployed to the helicopter crash site in Marondera, Mashonaland East Province, as authorities begin investigations into the deaths of prominent businessman Wicknell Chivayo, his wife Lucy Muteke and four other people.
The six victims died on Wednesday evening when the helicopter they were travelling in crashed at a farm near Waddilove Mission at around 5pm.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona was among senior Government officials who visited the scene yesterday morning, accompanied by members of the security services and aviation investigators.
Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) director-general George Mashababe, an aviation expert with more than 37 years’ experience in the sector, briefed officials at the crash site on the preliminary observations.
“The helicopter has a tail with blades, and when the body of the helicopter hit the ground, it appears that there was an impact and a spillage of fuel, which resulted in a fire that followed the fuel that had spilt on the ground,” he said.
Mr Mashababe said investigations were continuing and that the team would provide a detailed statement once the process had been completed.
The helicopter crashed at approximately 5pm on Wednesday, killing all six people aboard.
The Government confirmed that there were no survivors, while police said the formal identification and notification of the victims’ next of kin remained part of the ongoing process.
Family spokesperson Mr Herbert Chivayo confirmed that Chivayo and his wife were among those who died in the accident.
“Yes, we confirm that Wicknell Chivayo and his wife have perished in this tragedy,” he said.
Mr Chivayo said he had been informed that the aircraft was carrying five people, including the two pilots and Chivayo’s aide, although police subsequently confirmed that six people were aboard.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the accident on Wednesday night.
“The ZRP confirms a plane crash in the Marondera Rural area at 5pm this evening (last night). The aircraft had six occupants. More details will be released in due course as the scene is currently being attended,” he said.
Authorities have not yet established the cause of the crash, with forensic and aviation investigators expected to examine the wreckage, the crash site and other available evidence as they work to establish what happened before the fatal accident.
