Chivayo’s Ex-Wife Joins Mourners at Gletwin Home

By Southerton Business Times | Harare

Wicknell Chivayo’s former wife, Sonja Madzikanda, has joined mourners at the late businessman’s Gletwin home, weeks after a bitter family dispute between the two. Madzikanda arrived at the family home on Friday accompanied by her mother, Tabitha Madzikanda, Chivayo’s former mother-in-law, as relatives and friends gathered following his death in a helicopter crash.

The development comes as forensic examinations and DNA testing are being conducted to formally identify the remains of Chivayo, his wife Lucy Rujeko Muteke, and three other people who died in Wednesday’s crash at Kudenga Farm near Marondera. ZBC reported that the five bodies were collected by the Criminal Investigations Department for forensic procedures, with family representatives assisting with the identification process. The two children Chivayo shared with Sonja have reportedly been receiving counselling following their father's death.

A Difficult History

Sonja and her mother had a public dispute with Chivayo earlier this year, culminating in their arrest in May following complaints made by the businessman. Police confirmed at the time that Sonja and Tabitha had been arrested in connection with criminal allegations. The cases included allegations surrounding the circulation of content involving Chivayo and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, while separate allegations concerned an investment account established for Chivayo's children.

The women spent several days in custody while the matter was being dealt with by the courts.

Chivayo subsequently withdrew his complaint, bringing the case to an end before trial. He said at the time that he had reconsidered the matter because of the impact on his children, who were asking about their mother. However, Chivayo maintained that he did not regret the arrests and publicly criticised his former mother-in-law over the alleged circulation of manipulated images involving him and Ramaphosa.

He also alleged that an attempt had been made to use US$1.4 million from an investment arrangement for his children to purchase land and develop cluster houses. Those allegations were made by Chivayo and did not result in a trial establishing the claims.

Family Ties Remained

Despite the dispute, Chivayo had said in May that his relationship with Sonja could not completely end because they shared children. “She’s the mother of my children, so I have forgiven her,” he said at the time. He added that his children remained his priority. The former couple's children were not aboard the helicopter when it crashed, according to earlier reports.

Crash Investigation Continues

Chivayo, Muteke, her aide Saneliswe Magagula, pilot Calvin Tafirei Soda and co-pilot Courage Mutavirwa died when the helicopter came down at Kudenga Farm on Wednesday evening.

Police and aviation experts are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash. The identification process is expected to assist families with funeral arrangements, while authorities continue working to establish what caused the aircraft to crash.

For Sonja and her mother, their presence at Chivayo's home marks a striking moment in a complicated family story now overshadowed by grief and the loss of the father of Sonja's two children.

Sonja Madzikanda