President Emmerson Mnangagwa says he is personally numbed and in deep shock and grief following the death of his ally, Wicknell Chivayo.
Chivayo, 43, died in a helicopter crash late Wednesday afternoon along with his wife Lucy, an aide and two pilots.
“We are all shattered by this unexpected, sudden demise of so young a family and officers for whom so much promise held. Consummately philanthropic, the Chivayo family touched so many lives in our nation through its countless acts of charity and generosity which ran into millions of dollars and which motivated and transformed countless lives,” he said in a statement.
Kenyan President, Willian Ruto also said he was deeply saddened by the death of his friend.
In a post on X, Ruto said he would remember Chivayo for his friendship, his energy and deep conviction in the possibilities of the continent.
The Chivayo family lost their while flying back to Harare from their rural home. Their chopper crashed in Marondera, outside the capital, reportedly due to bad weather.
Investigations are however underway to ascertain the cause of the crash.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that burials of the Chivayos and three others could be delayed as forensic work has to be done to match human tissue recovered from the crash.
