Exiled Chimurenga music legend Thomas Mapfumo has said he will not take help from controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo, calling his money "dirty."
Mapfumo, whose home recently burned down, said he did not ask anyone for financial help. However, he didn’t stop his friend Lance Guma from suggesting a GoFundMe campaign to let Zimbabweans show support. Mapfumo explained that he turned down Chivayo’s offer, which included a luxury car worth $200,000 and a $300,000 house. He said he refused because he values his integrity and doesn’t want “dirty money.”
“I didn’t ask anyone to raise funds for me. Mr. Guma is a friend who was touched by the news about my home being destroyed. He contacted me to confirm, and after I said it was true, he offered to help by creating a GoFundMe. I didn’t object,” Mapfumo said. “However, I’ve been hearing rumours that people are questioning why I didn’t accept Wicknell Chivayo’s offer of financial assistance.
“Let me be clear: I don’t accept dirty money. I never asked anyone to help me rebuild my house; it was Mr. Guma’s initiative, and I couldn’t decline his offer because he genuinely cares for me. Mapfumo said his music remains widely popular globally, despite being banned in Zimbabwe. Mapfumo added that he continues to earn income from his music, although he is not currently performing live shows. “Some people have also been saying that my music career is over. I’d like to know where they’re getting that information from. My music is still widely popular and played all over the world. Although I’m not currently performing live shows, I’m still earning income from my music.
“It’s only in Zimbabwe, where my music is banned and musicians are bribed with cars, that you might think my music is no longer relevant,” he said. Chivayo’s extravagant life is linked to a US$100 million Zimbabwe Electoral Commission tender he won to supply election materials for 2023 elections.
The tender was allegedly awarded corruptly through the assistance of top government officials. He has spent more than US$3 million buying cars for Zanu-PF supporters, musicians linked to the ruling party, and footballers.
