Soldiers Reportedly Deployed to Guard Wicknell Chivayo's Harare Mansion After His Death

• Investigative journalist Maynard Manyowa reported that armed soldiers were sent to Wicknell Chivayo's Harare home shortly after he died in a helicopter crash
• Manyowa also reported that Tanzania's president offered to dispatch personal aides to help secure the upmarket Gletwin mansion
• The reported military presence coincided with a change in the couple's funeral arrangements, with the service moved away from the mansion

Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo had barely been confirmed dead before reports emerged that soldiers had been sent to his upmarket Harare home, according to investigative journalist Maynard Manyowa.

Chivayo, his wife Lucy Muteke, known as Lulu, and three others perished in a helicopter crash on September 30, 2026.

The remaining victims were identified as Senelisiwe Magagula, Captain Kelvin T Soda, and Captain Courage Mutavirwa.

Soldiers reportedly deployed to Gletwin mansion

Manyowa reported that armed military personnel were deployed to the couple's residence in Harare's Gletwin suburb almost immediately after news of the crash became public.

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He did not frame the move as routine security but rather as a deliberate effort to control access to the property and prevent valuable items from disappearing in the confusion that followed the deaths.

Adding to the controversy, Manyowa also reported that the Tanzanian president offered to send personal aides to assist in securing the mansion.

If accurate, the claim suggests the property's contents drew significant interest well beyond Zimbabwe's borders.

No official statement from any government or family representative has been issued to confirm or refute either claim, as reported by Briefly.co.za.

Funeral moved away from the family home

The reported military presence appeared to coincide with a notable shift in the couple's funeral arrangements.

Rather than holding the service at the Gletwin mansion, the family opted to use a relative's home as the venue instead.

Several observers online drew a direct link between the two developments, with the change in location attracting considerable attention and comment.

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Manyowa himself was pointed in his assessment of the situation, writing:

"The system is cruel and cold. Your guy dies, and your first move is to get soldiers to barricade his house and force his funeral to a cousin/aunt's house (and not his own) because you need to ensure the loot at his place doesn't get nicked? Even having a Tanzanian president offering to send her personal aides (soldiers/mercenaries) to help protect it. "

The X post below provides more details about the reported deployment of soldiers to Wicknell Chivayo’s mansion following his demise.

Funeral venue change draws online attention

Reactions online were pointed and varied.

@KRangarirai pushed back against the narrative, writing:

"His house is not barricaded. I live close to his house in Gletywn. There have always been security guys at his place. Nothing has changed."

@Mathuthu offered a different explanation for the venue change:

"The uncle said it was their decision. They don't want people foraging through his house."

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@igweeboss went further, claiming:

"Besides money and gold, there is a lot of paper trail in that house which can expose even ED himself. African leaders are evil."

@Ariseekklesi kept it brief:

"No honour among thieves."

@faraiwande simply remarked:

"Not even surprised by this."

Wicknell: Pilot's last words before crash surface

Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that a security aide attached to Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo has given a harrowing account of the last radio transmissions made by a pilot before a helicopter crash that killed five people on September 30, 2026.

The aide, who was aboard a separate helicopter on the same return journey, said conditions in the sky deteriorated sharply while both aircraft were in the air.

The pilot carrying Chivayo suggested rerouting through Bromley to avoid the worsening weather.

Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.

Source: YEN.com.gh