Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy Muteke, were buried on Thursday, October 8, 2026. The ceremony took place at Sahwira Glen Forest Memorial Park in Harare.
The couple died in a helicopter crash near Marondera on September 30. Their burial came eight days later.
Caskets Inspired by Luxury Cars
The caskets drew the most attention. Chivayo’s white casket had a black Rolls-Royce-style front grille. It also carried the marking “WMC 777”, a number plate tied to his vehicles.
Lucy’s casket took its design from Mercedes-Benz. It had a matching grille and carried her name.
The choice fitted Chivayo’s public image. He was widely known for his love of Rolls-Royce and Mercedes-Benz cars.
National Honour for the Businessman
President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared Chivayo a provincial hero. His casket was draped in the Zimbabwean flag.
Hours of Prayers and Tributes
The funeral began at the couple’s Gletwin home in Harare. Mourners gathered for several hours of prayers, speeches and tributes. Many came dressed in white.
A convoy of Rolls-Royce and Mercedes-Benz vehicles then escorted the caskets to the cemetery.
Granite Graves in the Royal Estate
The couple lie in separate graves, placed next to each other in the cemetery’s Royal Estate section. Both graves are covered in granite.
The family said earlier that there would be no public viewing of the bodies. They gave the condition of the remains after the crash as the reason.
