Suluman, Tryson Chimbetu feud escalates

By Vasco Chaya

HARARE – Simon Chimbetu could be turning in his grave following the politicisation of the gala planned in his name by the family, which is being turned into a mudslinging affair by Suluman and Tryson.

Events surrounding the gala slatted for August 13 exposed gross disunity among members of the family. Suluman is accusing Tryson of demanding a staggering fee of $2 000 to perform at the gala while Tryson says his cousin-cum-rival is lying.

Public relations officer for Ochestra Dendera Kings Joe Nyamungoma told the Daily News Tryson is not part of the gala because he had demanded $2 000 for him to perform but the family says it cannot afford the amount.

“It is painful to note that he is demanding such a figure from his family. The gala is meant to celebrate the legacy of Simon Chimbetu, the one who created the musical name which he is enjoying today,” said Nyamungoma.

At a recent press conference held in Harare, Suluman said Tryson was not participating in Simon’s gala because he was fully booked. Nyasha Mugauri, the Marxist Brothers band manager accused the Sulu camp of lying.

“The gala was not organised properly in the first place. We were not informed about the idea of this event and later they came instructing us that we have to participate. They are the ones who offered us a fee before we responded, we refused the amount as the issue is not about money,” he said.

Mugauri said events of this nature are not supposed to be commercialised. “In the first place Suluman, Allan and Tryson were supposed to sit down and discuss the issue together as a family. Unfortunately, the three failed to do so and everything is out of control now,” said Mugauri.

Suluman and Tryson’s beef is not new to the industry and now it seems to be dragging the dead who have every right to rest in eternal peace. Both camps are accusing each other of trying to sabotage the late dendera king’s legacy.

The Chimbetu’s recently made headlines in the media after Suluman revealed that he wanted to bar other artistes from performing his late father Simon’s songs. Tyson believes the move was targeted at him. Tryson is a son to the late Naison Chimbetu who was a brother to Simon.

The Ambi singer performs his own dendera catalogue as well as Simon’s — athis concerts. Late last year the rift between the two widened when Tryson accommodated members from Suluman’s band into his own outfit.

The four guitarists namely Phillip Dzivike, Shacky Phiri, Wayne Kembo and Nyasha Mugari deserted the Orchestra Dendera Kings citing poor remuneration. However, Dzvivike bounced back to Suluman’s band after Knowledge Nkoma was demoted from being the manager.

Dzivike told the media that he was not in good books with the former manager. After noticing that his members had dumped him the calculating Suluman quickly raided Macheso camp. He even went as far as attacking Macheso saying he needed to grow up.

He has since incorporated former Macheso band members Francis Dhaka, Elton Muropa and Noel Nyazanda into his outfit to spite Tyson who enjoys a close relationship with Macheso. Sulumani lured the “boys” from Macheso by promising them lucrative packages including a posh Mercedes Benz E Class for the dancer Dhaka.

However, Nyazanda and Muropa dumped him and re-joined the Orchestra Mberikwazvo saying that is where they belong. Daily News