Who Was Wicknell Chivayo? Biography and Profile of the Zimbabwean Businessman

Wicknell Chivayo was a Zimbabwean businessman whose name became closely associated with big infrastructure projects, spectacular philanthropy, luxury and proximity to some of Africa’s most powerful political figures.

Known publicly as “Sir Wicknell”, Chivayo built a highly visible profile through his company, Intratrek Zimbabwe, while also turning social media into a window into his wealth and relationships.

He died on September 30, 2026, at the age of 43, after a helicopter carrying six people crashed in the Marondera area of Zimbabwe. His wife, Lucy “Lulu” Muteke, was also among those killed.

Zimbabwean authorities are investigating the crash. Preliminary findings indicate that fuel spilled after the aircraft struck the ground before a fire broke out. Investigators have not yet established what caused the crash.

Early life

Chivayo was born in Zimbabwe in 1982.

Accounts of his early life describe a difficult start. His own biography said he lost his father when he was young and left school because his family could no longer afford his education.

He later worked as a wages clerk before moving into business.

That background became part of the story he told about his rise from relatively modest beginnings to becoming one of Zimbabwe's best-known businessmen.

Building a business empire

Chivayo became best known through Intratrek Zimbabwe, an energy and infrastructure company involved in major projects in the country.

One of the company's most prominent deals was the Gwanda Solar Project, a government-backed project initially valued at about US$170 million.

The project became the subject of a lengthy legal and political dispute after delays in implementation and disagreements with Zimbabwe's power authorities.

Chivayo and Intratrek faced criminal proceedings connected to the project but were later acquitted. In 2023, Zimbabwe's Supreme Court ruled that the contract remained valid. The government subsequently moved to revive the project.

A 2020 High Court judgment also identified Chivayo as Intratrek's managing director in proceedings arising from a separate bribery case.

His business interests and government-linked contracts became an important part of his public profile, particularly as his personal wealth grew more visible.

The businessman who made wealth part of his brand

Chivayo did not keep his wealth private.

His social media accounts frequently featured luxury vehicles, private aircraft, expensive watches, designer clothing, properties and large cash gifts.

He also became known for giving away expensive gifts to musicians, broadcasters, religious figures, sports personalities and members of the public.

His philanthropy included support for schools and education. Recent reports also highlighted his pledge of US$1 million towards scholarships for disadvantaged university students, alongside donations of buses and infrastructure to schools.

For supporters, these acts presented Chivayo as a businessman willing to share his success.

For critics, the scale of his spending raised questions about the sources of his wealth and the relationship between private money, government contracts and political influence.

Those questions formed part of the wider public debate around his business career. Chivayo denied wrongdoing when allegations were made against him.

A businessman with access to presidents

Perhaps the most unusual feature of Chivayo's public life was the number of senior African leaders with whom he was photographed or publicly associated.

He had documented encounters with Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Kenyan President William Ruto, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and other senior figures.

A 2025 Mail & Guardian profile noted that Chivayo regularly posted photographs of his meetings with African heads of state, although the precise purpose of some encounters was not publicly explained.

His relationship with Ruto became particularly visible in Kenya.

The two were photographed together at State House in Nairobi and at other private and public settings.

In August 2026, Chivayo shared a video showing Ruto personally driving him and his wife to a waiting helicopter after the traditional engagement ceremony of the President's daughter, Charlene, in Kilgoris, Narok County.

After Chivayo's death, Ruto described him as a “dear friend” and remembered him for his warmth, energy and belief in Africa's potential.

Political connections and scrutiny

Chivayo's proximity to political power was also a source of controversy.

In Zimbabwe, he was openly supportive of President Mnangagwa and the ruling ZANU-PF establishment.

His public political interventions sometimes drew criticism, particularly when he commented on internal party disputes.

His business interests also attracted scrutiny because of their links to state contracts.

It is important, however, to distinguish documented relationships from allegations about influence or wrongdoing. Chivayo's photographs with presidents demonstrate access and relationships, but they do not by themselves establish that he influenced government decisions or received contracts improperly.

Several allegations concerning his business dealings were denied, while some legal matters resulted in court rulings or acquittals.

Philanthropy and sport

Beyond business and politics, Chivayo invested heavily in public-facing philanthropy and sport.

He became a major donor to Zimbabwean football and supported clubs and officials with cash, vehicles and other forms of assistance.

His generosity became part of his public identity.

He was also involved in education initiatives, including school infrastructure and scholarship commitments.

This combination of philanthropy and conspicuous wealth made him a polarising public figure. His supporters often highlighted the people and institutions that benefited from his giving, while critics questioned the scale and visibility of the spending.

Family life

Chivayo was previously married to Sonja Madzikanda. Their marriage ended in divorce in 2024.

In March 2025, he married Lucy “Lulu” Muteke.

The couple frequently appeared together in his social media posts and travelled together.

Muteke died alongside her husband in the September 30, 2026 helicopter crash.

His legacy

Wicknell Chivayo leaves behind a complicated public legacy.

He was an entrepreneur who built a significant profile around energy and infrastructure. He was also a philanthropist whose gifts reached schools, sports organisations, entertainers and individuals.

At the same time, his extraordinary wealth, government-linked business dealings and relationships with powerful political figures attracted sustained public scrutiny.

His story also extended beyond Zimbabwe.

Through his meetings with presidents and senior political figures, Chivayo became a recognisable figure in East African political and business circles despite never holding elected office.

His death has therefore prompted interest not only in the circumstances of the helicopter crash, but also in the life of a businessman who had become unusually visible at the intersection of business, philanthropy, politics and celebrity culture in Africa.

For now, the circumstances of his death remain under investigation. The final findings of the aviation authorities are expected to provide a clearer account of what brought the helicopter down.

About the Author

Maureen Onyango is a journalist passionate about storytelling, life coaching and spiritual lessons. She studied at the Kenya Institute of Management and enjoys telling stories that inform, inspire and empower communities.