Who was Wicknell Chivayo? The Zimbabwe tycoon who dined with presidents

President William Ruto with Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo Prominent Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy Muteke, are among six people who died after a private helicopter crashed in Marondera Rural, east of Harare, on Wednesday evening.

Close ties with Ruto Chivayo had developed a high-profile relationship with Kenyan President William Ruto, with the two pictured together on several occasions, including at State House in Nairobi.

In May 2026, South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa denied knowing the controversial Zimbabwean after he was spotted with him at the president's farm.