Forensic work to identify human remains recovered from the scene of Wednesday’s helicopter crash in Marondera could delay the burial of businessman Wicknell Chivayo, his wife Lucy Muteke and other victims, according to ZimLive.

ZimLive reported that human tissue recovered from the crash site is still being matched with the victims, meaning burial arrangements could be delayed while the forensic process is completed.

The crash killed Chivayo, Muteke, Muteke’s aide Senelisiwe Magagula and pilots Captain Kelvin T. Soda and Captain Courage Mutavir, according to the report.

The circumstances surrounding the crash are still being investigated, while accounts of the number of people aboard the helicopter have differed.

Security aide describes final communication

Froster Chisi, a security aide who was travelling in a separate helicopter, told journalists at the crash scene that the two aircraft had been returning from Gandami in Chivhu, Chivayo’s rural home.

Chisi said the group had left Harare at 3 p.m. and later took off from Chivhu at about 4.20 p.m. for the return journey.

The helicopters were expected to make a stopover in Marondera before continuing to Harare, but the weather deteriorated during the journey.

“On our way back, the weather became challenging and our pilot suggested that we reroute and go via Bromley instead,” Chisi said.

He said the pilot flying Chivayo’s helicopter repeatedly reported experiencing difficult weather.

“What I observed during the pilots’ communication was that the pilot flying the boss kept saying, ‘I’m in bad weather, I haven’t exited the cloud,’” Chisi said.

According to Chisi, the pilot’s last communication indicated that he was flying over Surrey.

The pilot of the other helicopter then said he was about 10 minutes from his destination. Chisi said the pilot flying Chivayo appeared confused when asked about the destination.

“Our pilot then said he was 10 minutes from destination, and the pilot flying the boss appeared confused, asking, ‘Which destination?’ Our pilot responded that Marondera, but no reply came. All communication with the other helicopter was lost,” he said.

Chisi said his helicopter landed in Marondera and the group waited for Chivayo’s helicopter, but it did not arrive.

They eventually decided to fly to Harare and collect vehicles, believing the other helicopter could have landed elsewhere because of the weather.

Chisi said they spent more than an hour trying to contact Chivayo, his wife and the crew before receiving news that the helicopter had crashed.

“There was the boss, his wife, the wife’s aide and two pilots,” Chisi said.

Police account six occupants

The account from Chisi differs from the initial police statement, which said six people were aboard the aircraft.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirmed that the aircraft crashed in Marondera Rural at about 5 p.m. on Wednesday.

“The ZRP confirms a plane crash in Marondera Rural area at 1700 hours, this evening. The aircraft had 6 occupants,” police said.

Police said more information would be released as officers attended the crash scene.

Government subsequently confirmed that the crash involved a high-profile businessman, three other passengers and two pilots, and that there were no survivors.

The official statements did not initially identify the victims by name.

ZimLive subsequently identified Chivayo, Muteke, Magagula, Soda and Mutavir among those who died.

The discrepancy between the police figure of six occupants and Chisi’s account of five people aboard Chivayo’s helicopter has not been publicly explained.

Mnangagwa says he met Chivayo a day before crash

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has described himself as “personally numbed” and in “deep shock and grief” following the deaths.

In a condolence message dated 1 October, Mnangagwa said the deaths of Chivayo, his wife, two crew members and a security aide had left him and his family deeply shocked.

“The sudden and unexpected tragic passing on of Mr and Mrs Chivayo, two crew members and a security aide in a helicopter crash yesterday afternoon for our Nation, my family, and me personally numbed and in deep shock and grief,” Mnangagwa said.

The President said Chivayo had contributed to various sectors through charitable work and described him as having plans for Zimbabwe, the Southern African region and the continent.

“The late Wicknell Chivayo had a grand vision for his family, for our country, for the Southern African subregion and for our African continent,” Mnangagwa said.

He said he was aware of plans Chivayo had for the country, particularly relating to less privileged communities and war veterans.

Mnangagwa also revealed that he had met Chivayo only a day before the crash.

According to the President, the Chivayos were travelling back from Gandami in rural Chikomba, where they had been putting up modern family and community structures.

“Telllingly, the Chivayos lost their lives on their way back from Gandami in rural Chikomba where they were putting up modern family and community structures, all in line with our policy on rural development through investments, industrialization, development and transformation,” he said.

Mnangagwa extended his condolences to the Chivayo family and the families of the other victims.

Jah Prayzah postpones wedding

The crash has also affected musician Jah Prayzah’s wedding plans.

ZimLive reported that Jah Prayzah postponed his wedding, which had been scheduled for Saturday, 3 October, following Chivayo’s death.

In a statement, Jah Prayzah described Chivayo as a close friend and said he was “family” and a “brother”.

“The sudden loss of our dear brother Sir Wicknell Chivayo, his wife Lucy, and all those who lost their lives in this tragic accident has left us deeply heartbroken,” the musician said.

He said the wedding had been postponed “out of love, respect and the need to grieve” with Chivayo’s family.

ZimLive also reported that Chivayo had booked Thomas Mapfumo to perform at Jah Prayzah’s wedding.

The cause of the helicopter crash remains under investigation, while forensic teams continue working with material recovered from the crash scene.

The identification process is expected to establish a conclusive match between the recovered human remains and the victims before burial arrangements are finalised.