Government has launched a full international-standard investigation into the helicopter crash that killed all five people on board, including businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, with a preliminary report expected within 30 days, Information Minister Dr Zhemu Soda announced after Cabinet on Tuesday.
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Read E-PaperDr Soda told a post-Cabinet briefing that Cabinet received an update on the 30 September 2026 crash of the Bell 430 helicopter, registration Z-PED, operated by Sky Helicopters (Private) Limited, which went down at Kudenga Farm in Mashonaland East while on a private flight from Gandami in Chikomba to Marondera.
The dead include the pilot, Captain Calvin Soda, passengers Mr. Wicknell Chivayo and his wife Ms. Lucy Muteke, Ms. Sanelisiwe Magagula and Captain Courage Mutavira.
” Cabinet received an update on the aircraft accident involving a Bell 430 helicopter Z-PED operated by Sky Helicopters (Private) Limited, which crashed at Kudenga Farm in Mashonaland East on 30 September 2026 while on a private flight from Gandami in Chikomba to Marondera, killing all five on board including pilot Captain Calvin Soda and passengers Mr. Wicknell Chivayo and his wife Ms. Lucy Muteke, Ms. Sanelisiwe Magagula and Captain Courage Mutavira ,” he said.
He said the investigation was launched in terms of international aviation rules and Zimbabwean law.
” A full investigation was instituted pursuant to Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation and the Civil Aviation Act [Chapter 13:15], with preliminary on-site investigations concluded and wreckage recovered to the Government Hangar at Charles Prince Airport for detailed forensic examination including international experts,”said Dr Soda.
He said the preliminary report will cover the key technical areas and that government will keep the public informed.
” A preliminary report is expected within 30 days detailing wreckage examination, weather, maintenance, operator and crew records, with continuous updates to be provided ,” he said.
The crash is one of the deadliest private aviation accidents in Zimbabwe in recent years.
The involvement of Chivayo, a businessman who has dominated headlines over lucrative state contracts, has drawn intense public interest.
