HARARE – Close relatives of veteran musician Nicholas “Madzibaba” Zakaria have come under fire, with accusations that they may be exaggerating his ill health for financial gain.
Zakaria, who has been battling diabetes, hypertension, and muscle cramps, has reportedly been forced to cancel performances in recent months due to his condition.
The ailment, first disclosed by his wife last year, appears to have worsened, leaving his household struggling to make ends meet.
However, a prominent medical practitioner who spoke to H-Metro questioned the narrative being pushed by Zakaria’s family, particularly on social media.
“If his condition is still at stage one, he needs around US$30 to US$40 per month for his medication, an amount that his family should easily be able to raise,” the doctor said.
“If the condition has progressed to more advanced stages, the cost might rise to between US$70 and US$100 per month. He can also access free treatment at local clinics, especially considering his age.”
The doctor suggested that Zakaria and his family need to be transparent about the true state of his health.
“If he had been receiving consistent treatment, this condition would still be manageable. Instead, we keep seeing him paraded online in ways that elicit public sympathy, which raises concerns.”
“Madzibaba must approach this matter seriously—his health is at stake, and this is a life-or-death issue,” the practitioner stressed.
“He needs to clarify his treatment plan and follow medical advice consistently. Diabetes and hypertension are not new; many live with these conditions when treated properly.”
The medical professional also expressed concern over how the appeals on Zakaria’s behalf make him appear destitute.
“It’s unfortunate that Madzibaba is unwell, but the level of public begging is alarming. Some of the requests being made on his behalf portray him as impoverished, yet we know the family is capable of helping him before going public.”
“I suspect someone is profiting from this illness. There is a pattern of behaviour that needs to be addressed. The family must come together to restore dignity to the situation and avoid further public embarrassment.”
