Mutamba to fight suppression of Tuku book

HARARE – Shepherd Mutamba, a veteran journalist and Oliver Mutukudzi’s long-time publicist, has said he will enter an appearance to defend his explosive and controversial book, Tuku Backstage.

Tuku has said he was mulling suing Mutamba over claims he made in his book that dwells on Mtukudzi and Daisy’s romance, squabbles, separation, love affairs, divorce and re-union.

The singer’s first wife Melody also opens up on her marriage to the legendary musician and their eventual divorce, and also contains squabbles between the superstar and his daughters.

Tuku has said he was horrified by lurid claims made in the book by his publicist.

In a statement,  it emerged that Tuku now wants to appear in court to confront Mutamba, who wrote the book, and to tell him the emotional trauma that it caused.

“We are currently consulting with our lawyers on the action to take but we are moving on with our vision as Tuku Music and won’t let these recent developments slow us down,” Tuku said in a statement.

However, Mutamba told the Daily News yesterday: “I have seen Tuku’s statement everywhere but I am just too busy working on the book to respond. People are waiting to read Tuku Backstage. But should Tuku decide to take me to court, for any reason, I promise him that I will be available any time.”

Tuku outlined how much hurt the book and Mutamba had caused him, and that the claims caused a great deal of distress to him and his family.

He said he “felt betrayed by a man I had trusted so much and brought into my inner circle.”

“Everything about the book that I have seen so far is an attack on me. Nothing positive at all. Is that Mutamba’s summary of who I am as a man?” Tuku asked.

“You can imagine the distress that this has caused my family. If he wanted to pull me down, why attack my family too?

“Our conclusion so far is that Mutamba is simply trying to generate sales for his book using a sensationalised form of journalism that is best suited for tabloids.”

The intriguing 300-page no-holds-barred book to be released before the end of the year, was written over five years and comprises 25 chapters and 200 pictures never published before.

In the book’s preface Mutamba writes: “Tuku Backstage cross pollinates four genres —  biography, criticism and photography steeped in the music and life of Oliver Mtukudzi aka Tuku but also recollects some of my own memoirs from life and work experience and woven into the context of the book.”

“From where I stood as Tuku’s long serving publicist, the book inevitably finds itself criticising the man and his character. I frankly articulate my thoughts about Tuku’s contradicting personality but I also pay homage to his honest music.” Daily News