HARARE, Zimbabwe, Sept. 30 — Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy Muteke, have been reported among six people killed when a helicopter crashed in Marondera, east of Harare, on Wednesday evening.
Zimbabwean authorities confirmed the crash but initially withheld the identities of those on board. Government spokesman Nick Mangwana said there were no survivors and that police would formally identify the victims.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police said the aircraft crashed in the Marondera Rural area at about 5pm local time, with six people aboard. Emergency teams were sent to the scene as authorities began investigating the circumstances of the crash.
Mangwana said the aircraft was carrying a high-profile businessman, other passengers and two pilots.
“Current information indicates that there were no survivors in this crash,” Mangwana said.
Police have yet to publicly release the names of the victims. Reports from Zimbabwean media have identified Chivayo and Muteke among those killed, while later reports said the family had confirmed their deaths.
There was some early uncertainty over the number of people aboard. Police initially reported six occupants, while an early government statement referred to a high-profile businessman, four passengers and two pilots before being revised. Reuters reported that Mangwana later amended his statement to account for six people.
The cause of the crash has not been established. Authorities are expected to conduct an investigation and formally identify all those who died.
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