Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy “Lulu” Muteke, have been laid to rest at an exclusive cemetery in Harare, with details emerging about the premium section where the couple’s graves are located.
The couple was buried side by side at Sahwira Glen Forest Memorial Park on Thursday, October 8, 2026, following their tragic deaths in a helicopter crash on September 30.
Their final resting place has attracted public attention because of its elevated location, elaborate granite finishes and proximity to the grave of Chivayo’s late mother, Canisia Chivayo.
The cemetery, located in Zimbabwe’s capital, is known for its landscaped grounds, organised burial sections and premium memorial facilities.
The section selected for the couple reflects the family’s decision to lay them to rest together in a location that also holds personal significance for the late businessman.
Inside the exclusive cemetery where Chivayo and his wife were buried
According to reports, Chivayo and Lucy were buried in the cemetery’s Royal Graves section, an elevated area on a hilltop featuring elaborate granite stonework.
Photographs of the graves that circulated before the burial showed two neighbouring burial plots with grey tiled finishes on the tops, sides and interiors.
The graves were positioned next to each other, allowing the couple to remain close even in death.
The site also has space allocated for a wider family plot, with reports indicating the possibility of a mausoleum in the future.
The location was particularly significant because Chivayo’s mother had previously been buried at the same memorial park.
His final resting place therefore brought him close to a member of his immediate family while allowing his wife to be buried beside him.
The choice of a private cemetery also marked a departure from the traditional arrangement of burying a family member at their rural ancestral home.
Chivayo’s father, Isaac Chivayo, was buried at the family’s ancestral home in Gandami, but relatives opted for the Harare cemetery for the businessman and his wife.
The decision allowed the couple to be laid to rest in a location accessible to mourners, friends and associates based in the capital while keeping them close to Chivayo’s late mother.
Why the family chose a cemetery instead of the ancestral home
The decision to bury Chivayo away from his ancestral home sparked interest among Zimbabweans, particularly because his father had been laid to rest in Gandami, the family’s rural home.
Family spokesperson Herbert Chivayo explained that the businessman would instead be buried at Glen Forest Memorial Park, next to his mother.
His wife would occupy a separate grave beside his.
The family also dismissed speculation that the couple would share a single grave, clarifying that their burial plots were separate but adjacent.
The arrangement reflected the family’s wish to honour the couple’s relationship while respecting their individual resting places.
Lavish send-off befitting Chivayo’s public image
The cemetery was only one part of a funeral that drew considerable attention across Zimbabwe and beyond.
Chivayo, who was widely known for displaying his wealth through luxury vehicles, expensive gifts and high-profile social connections, received a send-off that reflected the flamboyant public image he had cultivated during his lifetime.
His coffin featured a Rolls-Royce-inspired design bearing the inscription “WMC 777”, while Lucy’s casket was styled after a Mercedes-Benz and carried the name “LULU”.
Chivayo’s coffin was also draped in the Zimbabwean national flag after President Emmerson Mnangagwa granted him Provincial Hero status.
The funeral brought together family members, religious leaders, business associates and other prominent mourners.
Large crowds reportedly lined parts of Harare as the funeral procession made its way through the capital, demonstrating the level of public interest surrounding the couple’s final journey.
The funeral arrangements also attracted attention because the family had earlier confirmed that there would be no viewing of the bodies due to their condition following the helicopter crash.
What happened to Wicknell Chivayo and his wife?
Chivayo and Lucy died on September 30, 2026, when the helicopter they were travelling in crashed at Kudenga Farm in the Marondera area of Zimbabwe.
The accident claimed several lives, including those of the aircraft’s pilots and another passenger.
The deaths shocked relatives, business associates and members of the public who had followed the businessman’s activities.
Authorities subsequently initiated investigations into the crash, with the wreckage recovered for further technical examination.
Chivayo was among Zimbabwe’s most recognisable business figures, known for his involvement in energy and infrastructure projects through Intratrek Zimbabwe.
His business dealings, particularly those connected to government contracts, also attracted public scrutiny over the years.
Despite the controversies surrounding aspects of his business career, he maintained a prominent public profile through his relationships with political leaders, celebrities and other influential personalities.
His social media presence, which frequently featured luxury cars, lavish gifts and displays of wealth, helped make him a widely discussed figure across Africa, including Kenya.
His connections with Kenyan President William Ruto also drew attention, particularly following reports of the president mourning the businessman after his death.
A final resting place attracting public attention
The exclusive cemetery where Chivayo and his wife were buried has become another point of interest in the story of their lives and deaths.
From the elevated hilltop location and elaborate granite finishes to the couple’s graves beside one another and near Chivayo’s mother, the burial site has drawn attention for both its appearance and its family significance.
For many observers, the arrangements reflect the extraordinary public profile Chivayo maintained during his lifetime.
For his family, however, the cemetery represents a place to remember two loved ones whose lives were cut short in a sudden and tragic accident.
As details of the couple’s final resting place continue to circulate, their burial remains a poignant reminder of the loss suffered by their family, friends and associates.
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