Zimbabwean businessman and billionaire Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy Muteke, have died in a helicopter crash that killed six people.

The crash occurred on Wednesday, September 30, in the Marondera rural area of Mashonaland East Province, about 70 kilometres east of Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare.

Zimbabwean authorities said the helicopter had six occupants and crashed at about 5pm local time.

There were no survivors.

The deaths of Chivayo and his wife were later confirmed by family spokesperson Herbert Chivayo.

The victims were travelling in a private helicopter when it crashed near Waddilove Mission. The aircraft reportedly caught fire following the crash.

Authorities have begun investigations into the incident, while the formal identification of the other victims was being handled by the relevant authorities.

Chivayo was a prominent Zimbabwean businessman and managing director of Intratrek Zimbabwe, an engineering and energy company involved in major infrastructure projects.

He became widely known across Africa for his lavish lifestyle, luxury vehicles, philanthropy and relationships with prominent political and public figures.

His death has attracted widespread attention because of his high public profile and business activities.

Chivayo had also faced public scrutiny over some of his business dealings and government-linked contracts. He denied wrongdoing, while some investigations into allegations involving his business activities were subsequently closed without establishing wrongdoing against him.

His wife, Lucy Muteke, was also known publicly through the couple’s business, social and philanthropic activities.

The helicopter crash has shocked Chivayo’s family, associates and people across Zimbabwe.

Investigators are expected to establish what caused the aircraft to crash and determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

For now, authorities have confirmed one thing: all occupants of the helicopter died in the tragedy.