President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government has advised Chimurenga music legend Thomas “Mukanya” Mapfumo to freely come to Zimbabwe to bury his brother Lancelot adding that “the security of his person is assured”.
This comes after Mapfumo, a fierce critic of Zanu-PF and its leader Emmerson Mnangagwa, indicated last weekend that he would not be able to come to Zimbabwe with the remains of his brother Lancelot due to fears for his life.
Lancelot, a percussionist, one of the first members to join the Blacks Unlimited Band when Mapfumo first formed it, died in the United States two weeks ago after a long illness.
But government spokesperson Nick Mangwana dismissed Mapfumo’s sentiments assuring him security if he lands in Zimbabwe.
“We wish to express our sincere condolences to Mr Thomas Mapfumo over the sad loss of his younger brother, Lancelot (MHSRIP). We wish to advise Mr Mapfumo that he has nothing to fear in Zimbabwe. The security of his person is as assured as the rest of us,” Mangwana said.
Mapfumo has been living in exile in the United States for over two decades after rebuking late former President Robert Mugabe and his regime. He kept on criticising the current President Emmerson Mnangagwa who assumed power through a military coup in November 2017.
The Chimurenga musician told the Standard Style last weekend that he would not come to his home country as he fears for his life.
“Lancelot was my brother, workmate and friend. I and the band have lost someone we worked with throughout our lives. It won’t be possible to fill his gap,” Mapfumo said.
“Lancelot will be buried in Zimbabwe, his homeland. We are making arrangements to bring his body from here.
“Unfortunately, I won’t make the trip to Zimbabwe because of political reasons, as you know I am not a favourite of the government.
“I fear for my life and safety if I come to Zimbabwe.”
He added: “The country is not moving forward. It’s evident that the current government has failed the people and the gains of liberation have been wiped off,” he said.
“I am totally against the Mnangagwa regime. People, the young people should take to the streets and remove Mnangagwa.
“I hate an oppressor, that’s why I am in exile. If it was me I would be living large in Zimbabwe with farms and stealing money like they do, but I decided to stand with the people.
“I stand with the oppressed. I am for the freedoms of the people and freeing the black man.”
The date for the burial of Lancelot has not yet been announced.
Run Mkanya run if you here them saying you are safe please run 🏃♂️
Zim has never been safe 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼
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Let’s brake it
Can they keep their promise??
Even katsuro will run away from ZANU PF
Its a trap
Govt says Thomas Mapfumo free to come to Zim for bothers’ burial – Nehanda Radio – https://t.co/SU5dstu3LG https://t.co/XxYaPsCNsm
So embarrassing that you have a president feared by his own people. As long as Job Sikhala is still locked it doesn’t make sense
Hatitye Dizha kuti kudaro mukuru haana Mari yekufambisa uyu, ari kuhwanda nechigumwe panodiwa cent cent apo
Hatitye Dizha…Mukanya started the whole debacle by pointing out he could not come to Zimbabwe to bury his brother, Lancelot, as he had recently criticized the powers that be…whatever that means. The President was only reacting and he was right to make a passing comment. The real issue is that Mdhara Mapfumo overestimates his importance and influence. At best we dismiss him as a silly old man. He wants people to ‘feel him’…that aint go’ wash. He ruined whatever goodwill he still had in this country by boycotting tours to the motherland and in the process alienating a new generation. They couldn’t care less who he is/was. 3 years ago he came home for homecoming shows…underwhelming. Nothing of repute. He probably now wants the government to welcome him at #RGM with a waiting motorcade…get outta here. Reminds me of the late Peter Tosh. Comes to Harare in mid 80’s to set up a series of concerts. His big technical rider is that he wanted Robert Mugabe to write him an invitation and be accorded a higher welcome and program than was accorded Bob Marley. What cheek! Nonsense. Gandanga haritambe iyoyo. Mapfumo is of that mould. He wants GOZ to roll out a state assisted funeral for his brother Lancelot. Tangoti tizivisane.
Maurice Maswiswi Mapfumo is very important no matter how much you are being paid to create government image on Facebook usadherere Mapfumo he even worked more than the so called comrades you have during the liberation struggle
Tayi Wale Chii…ouch! The music is good no doubt, but Mukanya overstimates himself. Notwithstanding his musical prowess of yesteryear, it is the reckless comments he makes which make one wonder.
Why does the government feel the need to issue that assurance????
Mkhulekelwa Mthoko Mangena imagine ,
Mkhulekelwa Mthoko Mangena cz they knw he is not safe. From that particular government
Mkhulekelwa Mthoko Mangena because Thomas Mapfumo said he’s scared to come
Don’t be fooled. Your security is never guaranteed at all. Unless if you want a Herald headline saying ” Thomas Mapfumo arrested”. They won’t even mention the charges cz they know u didn’t do a thing. Trumped up charges are already there. #Bvunzaiinini
Hon Romeo Guti or Thomas Mapfumo has colon cancer
Chandiwana Spencer Casper Ngaasazame zvake, he is dealing with a ruthless regime and a captured judiciary system. They will make sure they have the last laugh I tell u
Thomas mapfumo must go and bury he’s brother
Matiyenga Chirau Brianandrew But it’s too risk he myt join Wiwa and others before the funeral😥😥😥😥
Matiyenga Chirau Brianandrew because you want to kill him too
Elvicy Travor they won’t do anything since everyone got he’s attention
Matiyenga Chirau Brianandrew They don’t care about what the world will say and the world too doesn’t care about what’s happening in Zimbabwe.
Marco Brown for what
Elvicy Travor yes I get you
Matiyenga Chirau Brianandrew Yes whatever is happening to Zimbabweans just know that the world doesn’t care.
Ane Mari yendege here
Simbarashe Gotekwa Vakawomerwa gwenyambira🤣
Trabablas Trabablas ehee vakuhwanda nezvisipo anotyira hupenyu hupi munhu ane 80yrs
Simbarashe Gotekwa Taura hako. apa vaive muno mazuva apera. vakazotengerwa air ticket kuzodzokera.
Trabablas Trabablas kkk kuita kunetsa vanhu
Simbarashe Gotekwa akatozoita plan yekutengesa goods kubhadhara lodge iya paakauya
Shumba Mushirivindi Masilo kkkkkk wandipedza apa, mudhara haasisina cash uyu
Shumba Mushirivindi Masilo asi aigara ku lodge here
Simbarashe Gotekwa nhai hako 😂😂😂
Florence Tembo eheeee Havana pekusvikira or pekugara muno
Simbarashe Gotekwa eeeee hoo
Zvichimboitirwei izvozvo
Inhema dzenyu zanu pf
Dziwire mutswanda ka
Kana vasina chavanomuita vadii kunyarara …
Guitar rakazova politics rini unoziva zvawakaita
Not safe
Don’t even go there u will be killed run with your life
Ok he is free coz their is burial, if not he is ,what a country
Sometimes back mkanya was here,freely, um confused wheres the worry
Musa Mususa I also think that akauya kumusha anowana pekutangira,ndidzo hama dzatinadzo idzi obuda achinoshava achidzoka kumusha. Hapana kana anebasanaye ngaasiye kuzvifonera
Mlilo JoyinaniMlilo Joyinani toda kuti mafarm arikutambiswa nezvibhakera ayo
Did they gave Mkanya his cars?
Chigwaya mudziva maita chirauro
Mmmm l smell a rate
Mukomana haana Mari yetransport uyo akuda security yei iye asina kana cent