Zimbabwe’s exiled chimurenga music guru Thomas Mapfumo claims that the ruling Zanu PF government has turned him into an despite producing and singing inspirational songs during the liberation struggle of the 1960s.
Mapfumo, who left Zimbabwe a couple of years ago and is now a USA citizen, alleges that Zanu PF has ruined a nation that used to be the breadbasket of Southern Africa.
In a 15-minute audio message to Zimbabweans in which he traces his life from Rhodesia to Zimbabwe, Mapfumo says it’s tragic that Zimbabweans want to suffer in silence while their rights and freedoms are being suppressed by former freedom fighters.
“lt’s time to wake up. Get out of your houses and protest. Fight for your rights, fight for freedom. For how long will you be oppressed? It’s worthless to just say ‘God is in it’. Freedom has a price to pay. God helps those that help themselves.”
‘God is in it’, is former Citizens Coalition for Change Nelson Chamisa’s slogan.
Mapfumo says he left Zimbabwe after five vehicles he bought for resale were seized by the police and sold by a policeman in Harare. He claims that his family was threatened with death when he demanded the vehicles.
“I want those vehicles back and not a car and house offered by Wickenell (Chivayo). I don’t need his car and house because I’m not poor. He must help then poor and not me.”
Chivayo has been giving many people free cars amid allegations that he is involved in various shady deals. He has denied any wrong doing. President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently introduced him to Kenyan President William Ruto, a move that left tongues wagging in Zimbabwe and rattled the diplomatic circles.
Mukanya, as he is affectionately known, wants Zimbabweans to liberate their country. “Open your eyes and fight for yourselves. These oppressors came up with bearers’ cheques which collapsed, the bond currency and then now they have ZiG (Zimbabwe Gold). For how long are you going to vote for these people who have completely destroyed Zimbabwe over the past 44 years? It’s time to act now.”
He further says the removal of former President Robert Mugabe from power in a defacto military coup in 2017 was “a baseless power grab”, initiated by former Zimbabwe Defence Forces chief Constantino Chiwenga and then sacked Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
He also says he was once allocated free land by the Harare City Council together with the late music icon Oliver Mutukudzi and another person but he lost his as there were allegations that “I wanted to set up a studio to produce anti-government jingles and songs.”
Maofumo says, “All that was a big lie as the government was angered about some of my songs that criticized the manner in which they are ruling the country. The county is in a mess because of these rulers.”
There was no immediate response from presidential spokesperson George Charamba, Information Minister Jenfat Musore, Zanu PF spokesperson Chris Mutsvangwa and Information Secretary Nick Mangwana as they were not responding to calls on their mobile phones.
Mapfumo has over the years produced hard-hitting songs accusing government leaders of being corrupt and failing to run the southern African nation.
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