Days after businessman Wicknell Chivayo died in a helicopter crash on 30 September, Zimbabweans were asking a question that was part joke, part genuine confusion. Which Intratek?

The answer revealed the sprawling, often opaque web of companies Chivayo had built. On 1 October, a joint condolence statement was issued, but it carried the names of not one but four separate entities: Intratrek Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd, IMC Communications, IMC Construction and WMC 777 Airways.

“It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that we learnt of the passing of our beloved founder, a visionary leader and a pillar of strength to our group of companies,” the statement read. The companies described Chivayo’s life as one defined by “hard work, integrity, innovation and service,” pledging that those values would continue to inspire future generations.

A close associate of Chivayo, known as Shamase, separately posted a personal message on X echoing the corporate tribute. “His leadership, dedication, and vision touched not only our companies, but the lives of many people around him. His legacy will live on through the work he built, the people he inspired, and the impact he made,” Shamase wrote.

The multiple corporate identities drew mockery on social media, where Zimbabweans joked about which Intratek was genuine and which might issue a condolence message next. But beneath the humour lay genuine uncertainty about the future of Chivayo’s business empire and the fate of projects tied to his companies.

Intratrek Zimbabwe is perhaps the best known, though not always for the right reasons. The engineering and construction firm became prominent through the long-running Gwanda Solar Project, a contract awarded in 2015 to build a 100MW solar power plant. The project became entangled in years of disputes and legal proceedings.

In September 2026, Zimbabwe Power Company formally authorised Intratrek to resume the project. The cost was renegotiated from about US$172 million to under US$132 million, with completion expected in 24 months. The timing was significant. The company was entering a critical phase when its founder died, raising questions about whether it could continue without him.

IMC Communications and IMC Construction are part of what Chivayo called the IMC Group of Companies. Little public information is available about their operations.

WMC 777 Airways, meanwhile, represented Chivayo’s aviation ambitions. The company’s exact status and operations remain unclear.

The companies’ glowing tribute made no mention of corruption allegations or long-delayed government contracts. It spoke only of his vision and philanthropy, portraying Chivayo as a beloved founder whose memory would be honoured.

For now, the companies have made clear they intend to carry forward Chivayo’s legacy. But whether that legacy is one of entrepreneurial success or state capture remains a matter of fierce debate.

As for the original question: Which Intratek? The answer, it seems, is all of them, and perhaps a few more yet to be revealed.