Chimbetu back in Zimbabwe after UK gigs flops

SUNGURA artist Sulumani Chimbetu and his band, the Orchestra Dendera Kings, left the United Kingdom last night for Harare after a decision to reschedule shows to a later time during the year, was reached by the promoters, the artist and his United Kingdom management.

Sulumani, promoters Dragon Inc. / Dairai Promotions and Sulumani's UK Management company, Negos Entertainment on Monday afternoon agreed to reschedule the Leeds show originally set for Friday 29 April, 2011 to a later date.

In a statement emailed to news houses on Tuesday by the promoters on behalf of the three parties, the decision was made "to reschedule the rest of the shows ... after a meeting of the three parties".

The statement read: "We wish to clarify that media reports suggesting that 'Chimbetu (is) set to quit UK hell' are unfounded and malicious.

"They are meant to tarnish the image of the promoters, the UK management of Sulumani Chimbetu and Sulumani himself."

Sulumani and the Orchestra Dendera Kings arrived at Harare International Airport Tuesday at 12.45pm local time.

The emailed statement attacked Rollers Family for purporting to represent Sulumani.

"Rollers Family was not involved in the decision to cancel the rest of the shows. The London show failed to take off for reasons beyond our control and the low key gig at Ambassador Bar was not a replacement for the cancelled London show.

"Their report that 'Sulu is safe and sound' was based on their desire to boost their image and popularity. The Sulumani 'Meet and Greet' session attracted more numbers at Rollers than the 200 or so they had the previous Sunday," read the statement.

"Rollers Family sold tickets for the Ambassador performance. The tickets were printed by Dairai Promotions and given to Rollers. They are yet to give us an audit of the sales and the moneys owed.

"These tickets were given to UK based DJ King Alfred and Davison Chimenya of Rollers Family, but no moneys were received from them, or paid to Sulumani. We are awaiting the return of ticket stubs and also urge everyone who bought tickets from them to get their refunds."

The promoters and the UK Management of Sulumani also said they were not sure why a "Cde Simon Chimanya" was posting messages on Facebook as he was never involved, in his individual capacity, with the Sulumani tour.

"We wish to point out that 'Cde Simon Chimanya', who is posting messages on Facebook about the Non-Stop Tour, is understood to be in Zimbabwe and has never been involved in negotiating contracts involving Sulumani Chimbetu," read the statement.

The promoters and the UK Management also said reports that Minister of Information and Publicity, Webster Shamu, bought tickets for the artists were unfounded.

"... we wish to inform the public that, contrary to media reports, the artists used the tickets bought  by the promoters to return to Zimbabwe. Minister of Information and Publicity, Webster Shamu, was never involved in this tour, as reported by New Zimbabwe."