On Friday, Oct. 3, President Emmerson Mnangagwa travelled by motorcade to Mutare instead of flying, a decision taken two days after the death of his close associate Wicknell Chivayo in a helicopter accident.

Presidential spokesman George Charamba said the change was due to adverse weather that made air travel unsafe, prompting the president to use road transport.

The motorcade covered roughly 260 km round‑trip to attend a graduation ceremony at Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences, where Mnangagwa was the guest of honour.

Wicknell Chivayo, a millionaire businessman linked closely to the presidency, died on Sept. 30 when his helicopter crashed near a farm outside Marondera, killing his wife Lucy Muteke, an aide, the pilot and a co‑pilot.

Witnesses reported that the crash site was enveloped in cloud and mist, which severely limited visibility at the time of the accident.

After the graduation, the president’s convoy stopped at Chivayo’s Gletwin residence, where hundreds of mourners had gathered; Mnangagwa addressed the crowd and expressed personal grief.

During the visit, Mnangagwa declared Chivayo a provincial hero, a designation that entitles his family to a state‑funded funeral, and also paid tribute to the other four victims, describing the crew as promising and the security aide as dedicated.