The death of Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo has brought renewed attention to his complicated family history, particularly his relationship with his first wife, Sonja Louise Madzikanda.
Chivayo, his second wife Lucy Muteke and three other people died in a helicopter crash near Marondera, Zimbabwe, on September 30, 2026.
The tragedy has left family members, friends and admirers mourning the businessman, while Madzikanda has also had to come to terms with the loss of the father of her two children.
Ex-wife joins family in mourning
Madzikanda recently made an appearance at the Chivayo family home in Gletwin, Harare, where relatives and friends had gathered following the businessman’s death.
She arrived dressed in black and accompanied by her mother, quietly joining other mourners as the family prepared for Chivayo’s final farewell.
Her appearance was significant given the former couple’s complicated history.
Chivayo and Madzikanda were once married and share two children. Their relationship later deteriorated, resulting in a highly publicised legal battle over their separation, finances and arrangements involving their children.
Despite their differences, Madzikanda’s presence among the mourners showed the difficult reality of losing someone who remains connected to your life through family.
A relationship that made headlines
Chivayo’s first marriage attracted considerable public attention, particularly after the couple’s separation became a subject of court proceedings.
Madzikanda had sought financial provisions from the businessman, with court documents detailing substantial claims involving maintenance, property and other matters.
In April 2026, the High Court approved a consent arrangement under which Chivayo agreed to provide a US$5 million package for maintenance and investments benefiting their children.
The development marked another chapter in a relationship that had already experienced considerable public scrutiny.
Chivayo later married Muteke in 2025.
There have also been claims on social media and in some reports that Muteke had previously been close to Madzikanda. However, descriptions of her as Madzikanda’s “best friend” have not been consistently independently established and should therefore be treated cautiously.
Tragedy strikes
Chivayo and Muteke’s marriage was cut short when their helicopter crashed near Marondera.
The businessman, known for his lavish lifestyle and high-profile social presence, died alongside his wife and other passengers in the accident.
The deaths have triggered an outpouring of grief in Zimbabwe, with relatives now preparing to lay the couple to rest.
Chivayo and Muteke are expected to be buried at Glen Forest Cemetery in Harare on October 8.
For Madzikanda, the mourning process carries an additional weight. While Chivayo was her former husband, he was also the father of her children.
