A helicopter came down in the Marondera Rural area of Mashonaland East, east of Harare, at about 5pm local time on Wednesday 30 September.

"The ZRP confirms a plane crash in Marondera Rural area at 1700 hours, this evening. The aircraft had 6 occupants," the Zimbabwe Republic Police said in a statement. "More details will be released in due course as the scene is currently being attended."

Government spokesperson Nick Mangwana said: "The Government wishes to confirm that a helicopter crash has occurred, involving one high-profile businessman, three other passengers, and two pilots." He said there were no survivors and that police "will confirm the names of the victims in due course."

Family spokesperson Herbert Chivayo told The Herald: "Yes, we confirm that Wicknell Chivayo and his wife have perished in this tragedy."

Accounts of how many people were on board still differ. Police and the government say six. The family spokesperson told The Herald he understood there were five: the couple, two pilots and an aide to Mr Chivayo. NewZimbabwe.com also reports the couple, two pilots and a security aide. The other victims have not been named.

As of Thursday morning, authorities had not formally released the victims' identities or said what caused the crash.

Kenyan President William Ruto, who met Mr Chivayo at State House in Nairobi on 8 September, paid tribute overnight. "I am deeply saddened by the tragic passing of my friend, Wicknell Chivayo, together with his wife, Lucy Muteke, and the other lives lost in the helicopter crash in Zimbabwe," he said. "May God grant Wicknell, Lucy and all those who perished eternal rest."

Mr Chivayo, head of Intratrek Zimbabwe, was best known for the Gwanda Solar Project and for his very public displays of wealth and gifts. His business career was also marked by controversy.

This is a developing story and will be updated when police formally confirm the victims' identities and the cause of the crash.

Sources: ZRP and Government of Zimbabwe statements as reported by Capital FM Africa (1 Oct); The Herald (family statement); NewZimbabwe.com (1 Oct); President Ruto's statement as reported by Capital FM Africa and NewZimbabwe.com.