Chivayo’s Last Gesture: Lavish Gifts to Lawyers Hours Before Fatal Crash

Prominent Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo publicly rewarded two of his longtime lawyers with luxury vehicles and hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash on the morning of 30 September 2026 — only hours before he, his wife and others died in a helicopter crash in rural Marondera.

In a lengthy social media tribute posted that morning under the heading “Appreciating Relationships Built Over Decades… Saved the Best for Last,” Chivayo singled out senior lawyer Wilson Tatenda Manase of Manase & Manase Legal Practitioners and Advocate Sylvester Hashiti. He described Manase, whom he had known since 1998 when he was still renting a single room in Hillside, as far more than a legal adviser: a father figure, mentor, brother and trusted confidant who had watched his rise.

As a token of gratitude for years of loyalty, professional service and mentorship, Chivayo directed Manase to collect a fully paid 2026 Lexus GX 550, valued at approximately US$220,000, along with US$250,000 in cash for personal upkeep. Hashiti, who had already received three vehicles from Chivayo in previous years, was promised a 2026 Range Rover Sport Autobiography and US$500,000 in cash. Part of the cash recognition, Chivayo noted, related to Hashiti’s courtroom advocacy on his behalf.

The combined cash gifts totalled roughly US$750,000. The post, which turned out to be Chivayo’s final public message, has since drawn widespread attention for its reflective tone and the scale of the generosity that characterised much of his public persona.

Later that same day, the private helicopter carrying Chivayo, his wife Lucy Muteke (also known as Lulu), her aide Senelisiwe Magagula and two pilots — Captain Kelvin T. Soda and Captain Courage Mutavirwa — crashed at Kudenga Farm in the Marondera rural area, about 70 km east of Harare. The aircraft had departed Gandami in Chikomba district, where the couple had been overseeing construction of a rural home, and went down roughly 40 minutes after take-off around 5 pm local time. There were no survivors.

Initial reports put the number of people on board at six; authorities later clarified five fatalities.

Preliminary findings from the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe indicated that the helicopter struck the ground, spilling fuel that ignited and burned surrounding grass. The black box was recovered intact and investigations into the cause continue. Family spokesperson Herbert Chivayo confirmed the deaths of the businessman and his wife, describing the family as devastated.

Chivayo, in his mid-40s and founder of Intratrek Zimbabwe, was a high-profile figure known for his extravagant lifestyle, close ties to President Emmerson Mnangagwa and other African leaders, and a history of securing major government contracts that often attracted scrutiny. He had previously faced legal challenges, including a fraud-related conviction years earlier, but denied wrongdoing in connection with his business dealings.

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Condolences poured in from across the region, including from Kenyan President William Ruto, who described Chivayo as a friend.

The timing of the gifts has fuelled public discussion, with many noting the coincidence of such a generous public tribute hours before the tragedy. Authorities continue forensic work and the formal investigation into the crash.