“Please stop soiling my name”: Thomas Mapfumo tells Wicknell Chivayo

Exiled legendary Zimbabwean musician Thomas Mapfumo has rubbished claims that he is considering returning to Zimbabwe after being offered a US$700,000 package that includes a house, car and cash by controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo.

Mapfumo, who has been living in exile for many years, is an outspoken critic of the government and has accused them of corruption.

Chivayo offered Mapfumo a US$700,000 package to entice him to return home. The package included a furnished house, a Toyota Landcruiser SUV and US$100,000 in cash.

However, Mapfumo has rejected the offer, saying that he is against corruption and thievery.

Mapfumo’s manager, Sam Mataure, was quoted by The NewsHawks as saying that he was expecting to meet with Chivayo to discuss the offer, but Mapfumo has since made it clear that he will not be returning home.

Nehanda Radio received an audio from Mapfumo which was also sent to Chivayo in which he made his feelings clear.

“Hello Wicknell, let me tell you, please stop soiling my name. If what you think you doing is good, go ahead without involving my name, don’t soil my name talking nonsense about me. I don’t know you and I have never met you.

“I just hear about you on the news. I don’t hate you, just leave my name alone. Don’t play with my name. Don’t involve me in your dealings.

“I don’t want to be exchanging insults with you Wicknell. You are too young for me to be dealing with you, I am 78 years old now and cannot be seen trading insults with you. I ask you again to leave my name alone.

“I hear you love my music, let it end there. Don’t talk about other things. If what you think you are doing is okay, that’s okay, but leave my name alone. I don’t want to be involved in your issues. Please respect me,” Mapfumo added.

Information Publicity and Broadcasting Services permanent secretary Nick Mangwana recently said that Mapfumo has no case to answer and is free to return home.

“We have had conversations with Mr Thomas Mapfumo’s handlers, including Mukanya himself on the phone,” Mangwana said.

“He wants to hold his swan song in Zimbabwe but he is scared that he will be arrested. For what?

“Nobody is interested in him. At the culmination of the Second Republic, President ED did not declare a single Zimbabwean a persona non grata (PNG).

“On the contrary, he asserted every Zimbabwean’s cardinal right to come home (including during COVID-19 lockdowns).

“Mr Mapfumo and many other Zimbabweans did come home without any restrictions. Some continued their activities within and without the country afterwards.

“We are a democratic State and we don’t arrest people for free speech that doesn’t break our laws. Mr Mapfumo is a soon-to-be octogenarian, and we wish him well in his remaining years. He has a lot of fans and detractors. That’s life. See you in Zimbabwe Mukanya.”