News / National
Mtukudzi's 'love child' tears family apart
19 May 2024 at 05:32hrs | Views
After recent revelations that the late music superstar Oliver "Tuku" Mtukudzi might have fathered another child, Aaron Chaka, his widow, Daisy Mtukudzi, has publicly accused some of her in-laws of conspiring with Aaron to emotionally abuse her.
Aaron seeks to change his surname from Chaka to Mtukudzi. Tuku, who succumbed to diabetes on January 23, 2019, was declared a national hero. Following his death, the Mtukudzi family was bombarded with claims from individuals asserting they were the singer's children, with some willing to take DNA tests. Four individuals, two males and two females from different mothers, emerged soon after Tuku's death.
In 2010, The Sunday Mail exclusively revealed that the musician had another son, Selby, a claim initially denied by the family but later corroborated by journalist and Tuku's former publicist Shepherd Mutamba in his biography "Tuku Backstage." Selby was enrolled at a Catholic seminary in the capital at the time.
Tuku's officially recognized children are Sandra, Selmor, Samantha, and Sybil.
Five years after Tuku's death, 45-year-old Aaron has come forward, claiming to be his son. His 69-year-old mother, Rosie Makumbe, asserts that the song "Hazvireve," commonly called "Hazvireve Rudo Handina," was composed for their son, Aaron, who she claims was born when she was 16.
Daisy Mtukudzi is skeptical, questioning the timing and motives behind Aaron and his mother's public claims. "Where was he all along? Why has he suddenly decided to come forward claiming to be my husband's son? What is his real motive?" she asked, visibly irritated.
Culturally, such claims should be made during funerals or memorial services. Daisy expressed her disbelief that Aaron, at 45, has only now come forward. "He did not even show up at his so-called father's funeral, wake, burial, or memorial service. This is just amazing," she said.
Daisy suspects that Aaron and his mother are colluding with some "rogue" family members who harbor ill feelings toward her and are attempting to seize property by changing Aaron's surname to Mtukudzi. Daisy is open to Aaron taking a DNA test to prove his paternity.
However, Aaron is reluctant to undergo DNA tests, claiming he has already been accepted by several Mtukudzi family members who told him DNA tests were unnecessary.
"I will never make myself available for DNA testing, even if Tinashe Mugabe offers to do it for free. This is against our tradition. Traditionally, we did not do DNA tests; why now?" Aaron said. He has approached the courts with support from some of his paternal relatives to change his surname legally.
Aaron dismissed the "opportunist" label, stating his only desire is to use his father's surname and for the world to recognize him. "Many people believe Sam was his only son, but that is not the case," Aaron asserted.
Tuku's widow is the sole beneficiary of the estate, inheriting all movable and immovable property, including the Pakare Paye Arts Centre in Norton and several vehicles.
Godfrey Mukonowenzou Mtukudzi, Tuku's younger brother, confirmed Aaron's paternity, claiming to have known Aaron since birth.
"Mukoma Tuku was in a relationship with Rosie Makumbe when he was still in Highfield. When she became pregnant, he transferred her to Gweru. When Aaron was born, he provided for them," Godfrey said. He further claimed Tuku wanted to help Aaron get a birth certificate in 2018 but could not due to his illness.
During Tuku's burial, Aaron was one of the pallbearers. Godfrey explained he lied to Daisy about Aaron's identity. He acknowledged that the delayed public introduction of Aaron was to protect Tuku's status and marriage. Godfrey directed Aaron to meet their village headman in Madziva.
In contrast, Bybit Mtukudzi, Tuku's sister, considers Aaron an impostor. "If he was truly my brother's son, I would know. My brother and I were close and open to each other. He never mentioned Aaron," she said.
Nigel Nyamutumbu, Tuku's nephew, also dismissed Aaron's claims. "My uncle was very open with me. If this story was true, he could have told me about Aaron or my mother. This guy is certainly attention-seeking or after something."
Legal expert Fredrick Manyangarirwa opined that Aaron has little chance to claim a stake in Tuku's estate. "Changing his surname is one thing, but claiming the estate is another. Even if the family accepts him without DNA tests, the court will question why he only appeared now, five years after his father's death. Mtukudzi's estate distribution was well-publicized; no one challenged it then, and they likely cannot now."
Aaron seeks to change his surname from Chaka to Mtukudzi. Tuku, who succumbed to diabetes on January 23, 2019, was declared a national hero. Following his death, the Mtukudzi family was bombarded with claims from individuals asserting they were the singer's children, with some willing to take DNA tests. Four individuals, two males and two females from different mothers, emerged soon after Tuku's death.
In 2010, The Sunday Mail exclusively revealed that the musician had another son, Selby, a claim initially denied by the family but later corroborated by journalist and Tuku's former publicist Shepherd Mutamba in his biography "Tuku Backstage." Selby was enrolled at a Catholic seminary in the capital at the time.
Tuku's officially recognized children are Sandra, Selmor, Samantha, and Sybil.
Five years after Tuku's death, 45-year-old Aaron has come forward, claiming to be his son. His 69-year-old mother, Rosie Makumbe, asserts that the song "Hazvireve," commonly called "Hazvireve Rudo Handina," was composed for their son, Aaron, who she claims was born when she was 16.
Daisy Mtukudzi is skeptical, questioning the timing and motives behind Aaron and his mother's public claims. "Where was he all along? Why has he suddenly decided to come forward claiming to be my husband's son? What is his real motive?" she asked, visibly irritated.
Culturally, such claims should be made during funerals or memorial services. Daisy expressed her disbelief that Aaron, at 45, has only now come forward. "He did not even show up at his so-called father's funeral, wake, burial, or memorial service. This is just amazing," she said.
Daisy suspects that Aaron and his mother are colluding with some "rogue" family members who harbor ill feelings toward her and are attempting to seize property by changing Aaron's surname to Mtukudzi. Daisy is open to Aaron taking a DNA test to prove his paternity.
However, Aaron is reluctant to undergo DNA tests, claiming he has already been accepted by several Mtukudzi family members who told him DNA tests were unnecessary.
"I will never make myself available for DNA testing, even if Tinashe Mugabe offers to do it for free. This is against our tradition. Traditionally, we did not do DNA tests; why now?" Aaron said. He has approached the courts with support from some of his paternal relatives to change his surname legally.
Aaron dismissed the "opportunist" label, stating his only desire is to use his father's surname and for the world to recognize him. "Many people believe Sam was his only son, but that is not the case," Aaron asserted.
Tuku's widow is the sole beneficiary of the estate, inheriting all movable and immovable property, including the Pakare Paye Arts Centre in Norton and several vehicles.
Godfrey Mukonowenzou Mtukudzi, Tuku's younger brother, confirmed Aaron's paternity, claiming to have known Aaron since birth.
"Mukoma Tuku was in a relationship with Rosie Makumbe when he was still in Highfield. When she became pregnant, he transferred her to Gweru. When Aaron was born, he provided for them," Godfrey said. He further claimed Tuku wanted to help Aaron get a birth certificate in 2018 but could not due to his illness.
During Tuku's burial, Aaron was one of the pallbearers. Godfrey explained he lied to Daisy about Aaron's identity. He acknowledged that the delayed public introduction of Aaron was to protect Tuku's status and marriage. Godfrey directed Aaron to meet their village headman in Madziva.
In contrast, Bybit Mtukudzi, Tuku's sister, considers Aaron an impostor. "If he was truly my brother's son, I would know. My brother and I were close and open to each other. He never mentioned Aaron," she said.
Nigel Nyamutumbu, Tuku's nephew, also dismissed Aaron's claims. "My uncle was very open with me. If this story was true, he could have told me about Aaron or my mother. This guy is certainly attention-seeking or after something."
Legal expert Fredrick Manyangarirwa opined that Aaron has little chance to claim a stake in Tuku's estate. "Changing his surname is one thing, but claiming the estate is another. Even if the family accepts him without DNA tests, the court will question why he only appeared now, five years after his father's death. Mtukudzi's estate distribution was well-publicized; no one challenged it then, and they likely cannot now."
Source - The Sunday Mail
