The death of Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo has placed his estate at the centre of renewed public and legal attention following the September 30 helicopter crash that claimed his life and that of his wife, Lucy “Lulu” Muteke.

Chivayo, 43, and Muteke were among six people who died when the helicopter crashed in Zimbabwe’s Marondera district on Wednesday evening. Zimbabwean authorities said there were no survivors, while President Emmerson Mnangagwa later confirmed Chivayo’s death. Investigations into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

His death has also affected an ongoing legal dispute involving his former wife, Sonja Madzikanda. According to reports citing The Herald in Zimbabwe, a Supreme Court appeal connected to a US$25 million matrimonial and property dispute was removed from the court roll following Chivayo’s death.

Chivayo’s lawyer, Advocate Sylvester Hashiti, confirmed the development, explaining that the case would require an executor or executrix to represent the late businessman’s estate before the legal proceedings could continue.

The US$25 million figure has attracted considerable public attention, but it should not be described simply as a confirmed valuation of Chivayo’s entire estate. It arose from the wider matrimonial and asset-division dispute involving Madzikanda and claims concerning property and other assets.

Court-related reports indicate that Madzikanda had sought US$25 million as part of her claims following the breakdown of their relationship, alongside other financial and property-related demands. The wider dispute was separate from an earlier agreement concerning the maintenance and welfare of their children.

In April 2026, the former couple reached a consent arrangement involving US$5 million for the maintenance and investment of funds for their two children. Reports said US$2.2 million had already been placed in investment accounts, with the remaining US$2.8 million to be paid under the agreement.

The arrangement also addressed parenting responsibilities, with Madzikanda having primary residence of the children and Chivayo receiving defined periods of access. The agreement did not, however, resolve the broader dispute over matrimonial property and asset division.

Chivayo's death means that the outstanding property dispute will now have to be handled through the administration of his estate. The Supreme Court matter was removed from the roll pending the appointment of a legal representative for the estate, rather than being permanently resolved by his death.

Beyond the courtroom, Chivayo's public lifestyle has become another major talking point following his death.

The businessman was known for displaying expensive vehicles, private aviation, luxury properties and large-scale gifts on social media. Reports have linked him to multiple Rolls-Royces, a Bentley, a Maybach, helicopters and a Gulfstream jet, while he was also reported to have owned or acquired high-value properties in Zimbabwe and outside the country.

His philanthropy was similarly prominent. He regularly made large donations to individuals, sporting organisations and other institutions, making his spending habits a significant part of his public image.

That history has prompted questions on social media about how the assets associated with Chivayo's public lifestyle compare with the figures emerging from the matrimonial proceedings. However, online reactions and estimates should not be treated as an independently verified calculation of the total value of his estate.

Chivayo's business interests were largely associated with energy and infrastructure, particularly through Intratrek Zimbabwe. His company was involved in the long-running Gwanda Solar Project, a major power project that had been the subject of years of contractual and legal disputes.

Shortly before his death, Intratrek was preparing to resume work on the 100-megawatt Gwanda Solar Project after the Zimbabwe Power Company issued a notice to proceed. The revised project arrangement was expected to give the company a new period within which to complete the development.

Chivayo had also maintained a high-profile presence in Zimbabwean sport and public life. On September 30, hours before the helicopter crash, he reportedly made a US$250,000 donation to Highlanders Football Club, adding to his previous financial support for the club.

His public profile extended beyond Zimbabwe through business interests, philanthropy and relationships with prominent figures across Africa. His death has consequently generated reactions from political, business and sporting circles in the region.

Meanwhile, investigations into the helicopter crash remain ongoing. Authorities have not yet established the cause of the accident. The Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe has reported investigative developments, including the recovery of the aircraft's recording equipment, but a final explanation for the crash has not been announced.

As arrangements for Chivayo's estate begin, attention is likely to remain focused on the assets he left behind, outstanding legal claims and the interests of those who may have legitimate claims against the estate.

For now, the US$25 million figure should be understood within the context of the matrimonial and property dispute rather than as a definitive statement of the total value of Wicknell Chivayo's wealth.

Reporting by TalkNaijaMedia