Thomas “Mukanya” Mapfumo is facing a US$50,000 High Court claim after his former publicist accused him and band manager Cuthbert Chiromo of making defamatory statements that portrayed him as a witch, thief and manipulator.
The court action emerged as businessman Wicknell Chivayo used a lavish US$108,000 gift package to bring musician Selmor Mtukudzi together with her estranged stepmother, Daisy Mtukudzi, in a separate family dispute that has played out publicly for years.
The two stories have placed some of Zimbabwe’s best-known music families and personalities at the centre of renewed debate over reputations, personal grievances and the power of public intervention.
Blessing Vava, the former publicist for Mapfumo’s Blacks Unlimited, filed the claim at the High Court of Zimbabwe.
Mapfumo is named as the first defendant and Chiromo as the second defendant.
Vava is represented by Tavenhave Machingauta, while Charles Warara represents Mapfumo and Chiromo.
The case, registered under number HCH 4496/26, follows statements linked to an interview Mapfumo gave and comments made during a podcast carried on YouTube.
Vava’s lawyers say the statements were published to local and international audiences and caused serious damage to his name and professional standing.
According to the summons, Mapfumo allegedly caused or permitted statements about Vava to be published on or about 11 August 2026.
The claim says Mapfumo identified Vava as one of the people allegedly influencing Kurai Makore against him.
“In their natural and ordinary meaning, alternatively by implication, the statements meant that the plaintiff was improperly interfering in the relationship between the first defendant and Makore,” the summons reads.
The court papers also refer to a second broadcast carried on YouTube.
Vava’s legal team says the podcast repeated the claim that he had improperly influenced or manipulated Makore against Mapfumo.
“During the podcast, which was listened to by local and international audiences, the allegation that the plaintiff improperly influenced and/or manipulated Kurai Makore against the first defendant was repeated,” the summons states.
“The second defendant further described and/or referred to the plaintiff as a ‘witch’ and further alleged that he once attended the funeral of the late Lancelot Mapfumo, where he purportedly presented himself as a representative of the first defendant without the first defendant’s knowledge, authority or consent, and as a person possessing and/or actuated by a ‘spirit of witchcraft’.” Chiromo is also accused in the summons of claiming that Vava operated or controlled several social media accounts in an effort to turn Mapfumo against his fans and supporters.
Vava’s lawyers say the statements conveyed that their client was dishonest, criminally inclined, deceitful and untrustworthy.
“In their natural and ordinary meaning, alternatively by implication, the statements were understood to mean that the plaintiff is dishonest and criminally inclined; is deceitful and untrustworthy; manipulates others for selfish purposes; maliciously interferes in the affairs of others; lacks integrity and moral standing; and is unworthy of personal and professional trust,” the summons says.
“The allegation that the plaintiff is a ‘thief’ directly imputes criminality and dishonesty.” Vava’s lawyers reject the claims made about him.
The summons states: “The plaintiff is not a thief, does not improperly manipulate Mr Makore or the first defendant, and does not operate covert social media accounts for the purposes alleged.” The claim seeks US$50,000 in damages.
Vava’s lawyers say the seriousness of the words used, particularly the alleged references to theft, dishonesty and witchcraft, increased the harm caused to his reputation.
They also say the damage was worsened by the failure of Mapfumo and Chiromo to retract the statements by 21 August 2026.
A notice of appearance to defend has been filed, setting the stage for the defendants to respond in court.
The dispute involving Mapfumo comes at a time when the veteran musician has already been under intense public scrutiny over his relationship with Chivayo.
In July, Mapfumo addressed criticism after accepting a gift from the businessman.
Some fans accused him of abandoning the principles associated with his Chimurenga music and long record of speaking about injustice.
Mapfumo rejected that criticism and said accepting a gift had not changed his beliefs.
“My name is Thomas ‘Mukanya’ Mapfumo, the Lion of Zimbabwe.
I felt I should address the people of Zimbabwe after....
