Thomas Mapfumo denies being on the run

By Garikai Mazara

Chimurenga legend Thomas Mapfumo has denied that he is on the run, nor does he have any outstanding issues, criminal or otherwise, in the country.

Speaking from his American base, Mapfumo said preparations, which he could not explain, were being made by “very senior people” for his return home. He said once these preparations were done and other legal challenges were addressed, he would come back to Zimbabwe this year.

The legal challenges he referred to could be related to his self-imposed refugee status.

“There are several rumours that I have issues back home with President Mugabe or anyone. That is not true. What I have always said and will always say is that Zimbabweans should live well and in peace,” he said.

“Even in my upcoming album, Danger Zone, I have not done any political songs but I have addressed social issues that affect the world at large. In Syria, there are problems, everywhere in the world there are problems, so we need to tackle issues on a global scale now,” he added.

The album, to carry 10 tracks, will be officially launched in the United Kingdom in a series of Bank Holiday concerts lined up in London, Leicester, Chester and Slough.

This is the second time in about two months that he has performed in the United Kingdom yet in Zimbabwe it has almost been a decade since he last performed.

“There are several promoters who have approached me with requests to hold shows there and all I can say for the time being is that I am coming this year, I don’t want to give dates, but, indeed, I am coming.”

He also defended his frequent visits to South Africa, arguing that his recording is done by Sheer Sound and thus has to be there now and again.

On piracy, which he implored Government to take urgent and stringent action on, he says it is that musical cancer that is likely to see the release of his album delayed.

“Even if it means Parliament has to put in place certain legislation, then let it be, because we are killing our own industry. Look at the young musicians. How do they survive if they cannot sell? We are killing them.

“When we are fighting piracy, we are not doing it for ourselves but for future generations. I have talked to Alick (Macheso) and Oliver (Mtukudzi) and we are looking at what we can do to help curb piracy.” The Sunday Mail