𝐅𝐮𝐞𝐥 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐅𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐲𝐨 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐡

A fuel spill occurred when the helicopter carrying Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo and five others crashed in Marondera, before a fire broke out at the scene, preliminary investigations have established.

Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe Director General George Mashababe said that the fuel spilled upon impact and was followed by a fire that burnt grass around the crash site.

“Preliminary findings show that fuel spilled on impact, followed by a fire that burnt the grass at the crash site,” Mashababe said.

However, aviation authorities have not yet established what caused the helicopter to crash.

“The cause of the crash is yet to be ascertained,” Mashababe said.

The helicopter came down in Marondera Rural, Mashonaland East Province, at about 5pm on Wednesday, September 30, killing all six people on board.Among those killed were Chivayo and his wife, Lucy “Lulu” Muteke.

Zimbabwean police confirmed that the aircraft had six occupants, while government officials said two of them were pilots. The identities of the other passengers have not all been publicly detailed in the initial official reports.

Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the aircraft crashed at about 17:00 local time, equivalent to 15:00 GMT, as emergency teams responded to the scene.The crash site was at Kudenga Farm, according to reports by Zimbabwean state broadcaster ZBC.

The couple had reportedly travelled from Gandami in Chikomba, where they were overseeing the construction of a rural home, before the helicopter went down about 40 minutes after take-off.

Family spokesperson Herbert Chivayo later confirmed the deaths of Wicknell Chivayo and Lucy Muteke.Authorities have since deployed investigators and forensic teams to the crash site as efforts continue to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident.

Kenyan President William Ruto has also mourned Chivayo, whom he described as a friend.

In a condolence message, Ruto said he was saddened by the deaths of Chivayo, his wife and the other people who died in the crash.

“I am deeply saddened by the tragic passing of my friend, Wicknell Chivayo, together with his wife, Lucy Muteke, and the other lives lost in the helicopter crash in Zimbabwe,” Ruto said.

“Their sudden departure is a painful loss to their families, friends and all who knew them,” he added.

Ruto said he would remember Chivayo for his friendship, energy and belief in Africa’s potential.

The relationship between Ruto and Chivayo had been publicly visible in Kenya. The Zimbabwean businessman attended the traditional engagement ceremony of Ruto’s daughter Charlene in August, where reports showed him interacting with the President.

Ruto’s latest message comes as investigations in Zimbabwe continue, with authorities yet to determine what caused the helicopter to crash.