HARARE — Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan sneaked into Zimbabwe to pay her last respects to her close friend, late businessman Wicknell Chivayo, who died in a helicopter crash alongside his wife Lucy Muteke and three others.

Hassan reportedly arrived at the Chivayo family home on Tuesday, October 6, accompanied by a delegation.

The visit was kept private, with reports indicating that cameras and mobile phones were not allowed inside the residence.

Hassan had earlier publicly mourned Chivayo, describing him as a “young and visionary entrepreneur” whose life had touched many people in Zimbabwe and across Africa.

“It is with great sorrow that I mourn the passing of Zimbabwean businessman Mr Wicknell Chivayo, his beloved wife, and three other people who tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash in Marondera,” she said in a condolence message issued on October 1.

“Zimbabwe and Africa have lost a young and visionary entrepreneur who touched the lives of many.”

The Tanzanian leader extended condolences to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the Chivayo family, the families of the other victims and the people of Zimbabwe.

Hassan’s reported visit comes less than a month after Chivayo travelled to Tanzania to console her following the death of her husband, Hafidh Ameir Hassan, in September.

Chivayo visited Hassan and her family on September 11 and described Hafidh as a father figure and a man of wisdom.

Chivayo and Hassan had maintained a close relationship, with the Zimbabwean businessman frequently sharing photographs of his interactions with the Tanzanian president and other regional leaders.

The Tanzanian president has since reportedly left the country following the private visit.