The family of the late prominent Zimbabwean businessman and philanthropist Wicknell Chivayo has confirmed that there will be no public body viewing for the tycoon and his wife, Lucy “Lulu” Muteke, following their tragic deaths in a devastating helicopter crash in Marondera on September 30, 2026.
Family spokesperson Herbert Chivayo announced that the two families have agreed to bury the couple at the same cemetery, honoring the deep, unbreakable bond they shared in life. [
Severe Wreckage Precludes Body Viewing for the Deceased
Speaking to mourners gathered at the family residence, Herbert Chivayo revealed that the extreme impact and subsequent fuel-fed fire at the crash site left the remains of the victims highly fragmented.
The family spokesperson explained that the dismembered state of the remains has made a public viewing impossible.
“Their body parts were scattered everywhere… That accident really scared us. Even when we do the burial, we are not going to have a body viewing,” Herbert Chivayo stated.
DNA Identification and Family Travel Delay Burial Schedule
Official burial dates have yet to be finalized as forensic experts continue an intensive, 18-hour recovery and analysis process to formally identify the victims through DNA testing.
Additionally, final funeral arrangements are awaiting the return of Chivayo’s sisters, who are currently traveling back from abroad. The family is currently considering four potential final resting places, including the family’s ancestral land in Gandami village (Chivhu) and Glenforest.
The private helicopter went down at approximately 5:00 PM local time at Kudenga Farm in Marondera Rural, roughly 40 minutes after taking off from Chikomba district. Preliminary assessments by civil aviation authorities indicate that the aircraft’s tail struck the ground upon impact, sparking a severe blaze.
Total Casualties and High-Level Condolences
All five individuals aboard the flight perished in the crash.Known widely across the region as “Sir Wicknell,” the 43-year-old businessman was a polarizing yet highly influential figure, known for major government contracts and high-profile philanthropy. Following the tragedy, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa paid his respects to the family residence, while regional leaders, including Kenyan President William Ruto, have extended their official condolences.
