President Emmerson Mnangagwa has mourned businessman Wicknell Chivhayo, his wife and four others killed in a helicopter crash in Marondera Rural on Wednesday.

The crash happened at around 5pm near Waddilove Mission when a Bell 430 helicopter en route from Gandami in Chikomba to Harare came down at Kudenga Farm.

The helicopter burst into flames, according to police and family spokesperson Herbert Chivayo.

Government spokesperson Nick Mangwana confirmed there were no survivors.

In a condolence statement shared for publication, President Mnangagwa said:

“The sudden and unexpected tragic passing on of Mr and Mrs Chivayo, two crew members and a security aide in a helicopter crash yesterday afternoon left our Nation, my family, and me personally 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.”

Mnangagwa described the late businessman as “consummately philanthropic”, saying:

“The Chivayo family touched so many lives in our Nation through its countless acts of charity and generosity.

“(These) ran into millions of dollars, and which motivated and transformed countless lives.

“His generous hand cut across sectors and reached many individuals: in politics, religion, public service, culture, sport and many different professions.”

He said Chivayo embodied the Second Republic’s drive for indigenous enterprise.

“The late Wicknell Chivayo had a grand vision for his family, for our country, for the Southern African subregion and for our African continent.

“In pursuit of which he, in his own way, deepened our programme of engagement and re-engagement, thus raising the Zimbabwean flag high.

“Indeed, he embodied the Second Republic’s ethos of indigenous enterprise tempered with a human face, an admirable legacy which is sure to inspire a generation.”

The President revealed he had met Chivhayo just a day before the crash.

“I am personally aware of numerous plans he had for our Nation and our people, principally the less privileged ones and our war veterans, whose social condition he diligently worked to ameliorate.

“He shared with me some of these grand plans only this last Tuesday after our Cabinet meeting, just a day before his tragic end.”

“On behalf of our Nation, my Family and on my behalf, I wish to express my deepest, heartfelt condolences to the Chivayo Family, and to the families of all those lost in yesterday’s tragic crash.

“We mourn with and stand by them in this hour of deep, inconsolable grief and pain.”

Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said more details would be released as the scene was still being attended.

Identifications for some of the victims are also still being finalised.