Harare’s central business district slowed to a standstill on Wednesday, 7 October, as the remains of businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy Muteke, were taken from Doves Funeral Services to their family home in Gletwyn. The procession brought together crowds, police roadblocks, luxury vehicles and a formation of bikers, but behind the spectacle lay the devastating condition of the couple’s remains after the helicopter crash that killed them.
Two white caskets drew particular attention as they emerged from the funeral parlour. One carried a Rolls-Royce grille and the registration number WMC 777. The other was fitted with a Mercedes-Benz front and draped in the Zimbabwean flag. Rolls-Royces and Mercedes-Benz vehicles followed them through the city, while mourners waved, called out farewells and filmed the slow-moving convoy on their phones.
Police closed Kwame Nkrumah Avenue and Harare Street to make way for the procession and manage traffic. Some people watched from nearby buildings and balconies. Others pressed towards the chapel, where space was limited and mourners jostled to get inside for the formal service.
The bikers at the head of the convoy were led by rider Victor “Coach Rambo” Kazembe. Their horns and manoeuvres added to the noise and movement around the hearses. Among those attending the proceedings were businessman and legislator Pedzisai “Scott” Sakupwanya, cleric Prophet Uebert Angel and several politicians.
The public display was sharply different from the private grief waiting at the family home. When the caskets arrived in Gletwyn in light rain, the mood became sombre. Members of the Johane Masowe WeChishanu Apostolic sect began prayers and religious rituals, and the media was barred from recording some of the proceedings as the sect took charge of the funeral rites.
The sect’s leaders, Madzibaba Lawrence Katsiru and Madzibaba Stanley Kazingizi, said the couple’s burial would follow the faith they shared. Madzibaba Stanley said Chivayo had been devoted to his religion and that the family had given the sect permission to carry out the rites.
“He was a man who loved his religion, so we will adhere to everything our founder Baba Johane said. We will do everything for Madzibaba Wicknell and Madzimai Lulu to make sure they are buried in the way of Baba Johane. We also want to thank his parents and family for granting us permission to do what our religion requires,” he said.
Some of the sect’s traditions, however, could not be followed because of the state of the remains. Madzibaba Stanley said that caskets had to be used instead of following the customs that would have applied if the bodies had been intact.
“The reason why we had to forego some of our traditions in respect of the coffin is obviously the condition of their bodies. If their bodies were still intact, we could have adhered to our culture, but their condition has moved us to use caskets. As you are aware, their bodies were crushed into pieces, and that alone has pushed us to lift some of our cultural traditions,” he said.
The family has also confirmed that the couple will be buried without their heads. Family spokesperson Herbert Chivayo said some remains, including the skulls, had not been recovered. He rejected claims circulating online that four skulls had been found, saying the bone fragments recovered at the scene had been mistaken for skulls.
“There has been speculation on social media saying that there were four head skulls that were found. That is not true. We did not find any head. There were some pieces of bones that were suspected to be head skulls but they were not. The last things that we found were Sir Wicknell’s wrist watch and my daughter in law’s watch,” he said.
The family said there would be no viewing of the bodies before burial. The couple are due to be laid to rest side by side at Sahwira Glen Forest Cemetery on Thursday, 8 October, but in separate graves. The funeral programme is scheduled to include speeches before the procession leaves for the cemetery at noon, with burial planned for 2pm.
Madzibaba Stanley also spoke of a close personal relationship with Chivayo, recalling that they met often and discussed work and religion.
“Madzibaba Wicknell also taught me the importance of hard work. All the days we met, we talked about work and religion. We even reached a point where we met daily, teaching each other the ways of life. We even had breakfast together at his residence,” he said.
Chivayo’s death had already drawn national attention. He was declared a provincial hero after his death and was widely known for his philanthropy, public gifts and conspicuous displays of wealth. His business dealings, including government-linked contracts, had also attracted scrutiny over the years. He denied allegations of wrongdoing connected to his business activities.
The funeral came eight days after the helicopter crash on 30 September at Kudenga Farm in Mashonaland East, near Marondera. The Bell 430, registered as Z-PED and operated by Sky Helicopters, was travelling from Gandami in Chikomba District towards Marondera. Chivayo and Muteke were among those killed, along with their aide Sanelisiwe Magagula and pilots Captain Calvin Soda and Captain Courage Mutavira.
The extent of the destruction has become one of the most disturbing elements of the tragedy. Herbert Chivayo said the family had not recovered the couple’s heads, while members of the Apostolic sect said the condition of the bodies had forced them to change their burial customs. The severity of the damage also meant that authorities used DNA testing to identify the victims.
There has been public speculation about how the crash happened, including online suspicions of foul play. No cause has been announced by the authorities. Information Minister Soda Zhemu said preliminary on-site investigations had been completed and the wreckage had been moved to the Government Hangar at Charles Prince Airport for detailed forensic examination, with international experts assisting.
The preliminary report is expected within 30 days of the crash. Officials say investigators will examine the wreckage, weather information, aircraft maintenance records and details about the operator and crew. Early reports from the crash site described fuel spillage and fire after impact, but investigators have not announced what caused the helicopter to come down.
Another statement that drew public attention came from Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa, who said he had shared dinner with the couple five days before the crash. In a condolence message, he wrote that they “knew their time to be taken” and had wanted to complete their giving and charitable work while they were at their best. The wording fuelled questions online about whether the couple had known their deaths were near.
Makandiwa also addressed questions about whether he had foreseen the crash, writing that he did not see everything and that only God had complete knowledge. His comments added to the stream of discussion around the couple’s final days, but the circumstances of the flight remain the subject of the official aviation investigation.
Earlier in the week, ministers, ruling-party members and other prominent visitors went to the family home to offer condolences. Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe and Information and Communications Technology Minister Tatenda Mavetera were among those who visited.
On Thursday (today), attention is expected to shift from the funeral procession in Harare to the burial at Glen Forest, where the couple will be laid to rest beside one another after a week marked by public ceremony, religious rites and unanswered questions about the crash.