Sonja Madzikanda appointed co-executrix of Wicknell Chivayo’s estate

The late socialite Wicknell Chivayo’s former wife, Sonja Madzikanda, has been appointed co-executrix of his estate.

According to The Herald, Madzikanda will administer the estate jointly with Chivayo’s sister, Esther Chivayo.

Chivayo died in a helicopter crash in Marondera on 30 September 2026. His wife, Lucy Muteke, and three other people were also killed in the accident.

The appointment gives Madzikanda a key role in managing an estate believed to be worth millions of dollars. At the time of Chivayo’s death, she had a US$25 million matrimonial claim pending before the Supreme Court.

As co-executrices, Madzikanda and Esther Chivayo will be responsible for overseeing the administration of the estate, including compiling an inventory of assets, settling any outstanding debts and ensuring the distribution of assets to beneficiaries.

The development comes months after Madzikanda and her mother, Tabitha Madzikanda, were arrested following their highly publicised fallout with Chivayo.

Police alleged that Sonja had breached a High Court order governing access to the couple’s children, while Tabitha faced allegations ranging from fraud involving a trust account established for Chivayo’s children to cyber-related offences connected to the alleged circulation of manipulated images. Chivayo was the complainant in the matters and reported the allegations to the police.

The arrests attracted widespread public attention amid an acrimonious dispute between Chivayo and his former wife following their divorce. Investigators also examined claims that artificial intelligence had been used to create images suggesting Chivayo had met Cyril Ramaphosa before the South African President’s official visit to Zimbabwe, a claim Chivayo strongly denied.

However, the criminal proceedings did not continue. The charges against Tabitha were later withdrawn after Chivayo decided to drop the matter. Chivayo also withdrew complaints that had led to the arrest of his former wife.

The appointment means that despite their bitter legal and personal disputes before his death, Sonja now finds herself entrusted with helping administer the estate of the man she once battled in the courts.