Court Reporter

Former Blacks Unlimited publicist Blessing Vava has sued legendary musician Thomas “Mukanya” Mapfumo and his manager Cuthbert Chiromo for US$50,000, alleging they defamed him by calling him a witch and a thief.

Vava filed summons at the High Court under case number HCH4496/26, where he is cited as plaintiff while Mapfumo is first defendant and Chiromo second defendant.

Vava is represented by Tavenhave and Machingauta Legal Practitioners, while Charles Warara is acting for Mapfumo and Chiromo. A notice of appearance to defend has been filed.

According to the summons, the claim arises from an interview Mapfumo allegedly granted to H-Metro on or about August 11, 2025, and comments made on Nehanda TV and YouTube.

Vava alleges that Mapfumo claimed he was improperly interfering in the relationship between the musician and Kurai Makore.

In the Nehanda TV podcast, which was allegedly watched by local and international audiences, Chiromo is said to have repeated the allegation and further described Vava as a “witch”.

“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’,” the summons reads.

Chiromo is also alleged to have claimed that Vava operated numerous social media accounts to turn Mapfumo against his fans and supporters, and labelled him a thief.

Vava argues the statements were wrongful, false and defamatory.

“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,” his lawyers submitted.

Vava denies the allegations, saying he is not a thief, does not manipulate Makore or Mapfumo, and does not operate covert social media accounts as alleged.

He said the publications were aggravated by the defendants’ failure to retract the statements by August 21, despite demand.

He is seeking US$50,000 in damages for injury to his reputation.

The allegations remain unproven until determined by the High Court.