President Emmerson Mnangagwa has expressed deep shock and grief following the death of businessman Wicknell Chivayo, his wife Lucy Muteke, two crew members and a security aide in a fatal helicopter crash in rural Marondera yesterday.
The helicopter crashed at about 5pm in Marondera Rural, Mashonaland East Province, with authorities confirming that there were no survivors.
In a condolence message issued today, President Mnangagwa described the deaths as a sudden and unexpected tragedy which had left the nation, his family and himself “numbed and in deep shock and grief”.
“We are all shattered by this unexpected, sudden demise of so young a family and officers for whom so much promise held,” he said.
The President paid tribute to the Chivayo family for its philanthropic work, saying its charitable activities had touched numerous lives across different sectors of society.
“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,” President Mnangagwa said.
He said the family’s generosity had reached people in politics, religion, public service, culture, sport and other professions.
President Mnangagwa also highlighted Chivayo’s vision for Zimbabwe, the Southern African region and the continent, saying he had contributed to the country’s engagement and re-engagement efforts.
“The late Wicknell Chivayo had a grand vision for his family, for our country, for the Southern African subregion and for our African continent,” he said.
The President said Chivayo had embodied the Second Republic’s emphasis on indigenous enterprise combined with social responsibility, describing this as a legacy that would inspire future generations.
He further revealed that Chivayo had shared several plans for the country and disadvantaged communities with him only on Tuesday, a day before the fatal accident.
“The businessman and his wife were returning from Gandami in rural Chikomba, where they had been working on modern family and community structures,” he said.
He said the initiative was consistent with Government’s rural development agenda centred on investment, industrialisation, development and transformation.
President Mnangagwa extended his condolences to the Chivayo family and relatives of all those who died, saying the nation stood with them during the period of grief.
“May the bereaved families find solace and comfort in the great and distinguished work and service which the dear departed rendered to our Nation, and for which they will continue to be remembered and emulated,” he said.
