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Chivayo ties behind Jah Prayzah's US visa woes
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Zimbabwean-born UFC star Themba Gorimbo has spoken out on musician Jah Prayzah's recent US visa setback, subtly suggesting that the artist's close ties to controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo may have played a role in the denial - despite official explanations pointing to "technical issues."
Posting on Facebook on Friday, 27 June, Gorimbo penned a cryptic but emotionally charged message in both Shona and English, describing the situation as a warning of greater consequences to come.
"Zviri kuitika, zvikaramba zvichiitika pane zvichaitika,"
(What is happening, if it keeps happening, will result in something happening.)
He added:
"Once vese vakatanga kuitwa denied yah, vanogona kuzoita zviite. Nyika yave kugadzirwa ne embassy."
(Once they all start being denied, then it becomes a pattern. The country is now being fixed by the US Embassy.)
In what appeared to be a direct, albeit veiled reference to Jah Prayzah, Gorimbo continued:
"They treat you accordingly. I respect Mukoma, but I think this was a sign. First sign. Kutaura pachikuru, unoti technically not denied. Ndini ndadaro."
(They treat you based on what they see. I respect the elder brother, but I think this was a sign — the first. To soften it, you say technically not denied. But that's just how I see it.)
The comments come a day after Jah Prayzah, real name Mukudzeyi Mukombe, announced the abrupt cancellation of the US leg of his Ndini Mukudzei world tour. He was scheduled to perform in Washington, D.C., on July 4 and Dallas, Texas, on July 5.
In his statement, the award-winning artist attributed the visa setback to a "technical issue" on his application forms.
"We attended our visa appointments earlier this month, but due to a technical issue on our application forms, we couldn't proceed. That meant restarting the process… and unfortunately, no new appointment dates were available in time," he wrote.
He added that full refunds would be issued to fans who had already purchased tickets.
Despite the explanation, online speculation has been rife. Many believe the visa denial may have been influenced by Jah Prayzah's public association with Chivayo — a businessman widely viewed as a symbol of Zimbabwe's elite corruption networks and ZANU-PF patronage.
Chivayo has lavished Jah Prayzah with extravagant gifts over the past six months, including US$300,000 in cash, a 2025 Range Rover Autobiography, and multiple vehicles for his backing band. His frequent public declarations of support for the singer have not gone unnoticed, particularly in the wake of tightening US visa policies.
In May 2025, Chivayo wrote on Facebook:
"As I promised before… your brand new 2025 Range Rover Autobiography is FULLY PAID FOR and ready for collection. In addition, please collect your US$150,000 in CASH as promised."
In January, following online backlash against the musician, Chivayo pledged US$10 per negative comment posted about Jah Prayzah — and later delivered US$150,000 in cash.
Critics say such displays of wealth and association with politically exposed persons may have triggered red flags with US consular officers.
"Mbavha dzaanotamba nadzo ndidzo dzakamunyimisa visa," posted one user on X.
(The thieves he associates with are the reason he was denied a visa.)
Another added:
"There is nothing like a technical issue boss. Visa was just denied, it happens, and they don't give you a reason."
The visa issue also comes amid new US State Department guidelines, introduced in early 2025, which require consular officers to conduct rigorous vetting of all applicants — including scrutiny of social media, public affiliations, and financial links.
"The United States must be vigilant during the visa issuance process," the directive reads. "Applicants must credibly establish their eligibility and prove that they will engage only in permitted activities."
While Jah Prayzah denied any political connection to the visa denial and thanked the US Consulate for its efforts, Gorimbo's message has struck a chord with many Zimbabweans, who see it as an unfiltered reflection of shifting diplomatic attitudes toward politically linked public figures.
Despite the setback, Jah Prayzah confirmed that his Canadian tour dates — Edmonton on July 11 and Toronto on July 12 — remain unchanged, and promised fans that new US dates would be announced soon.
"I remain indebted and promise to fulfil this part of the tour in the very near future," he said.
As pressure mounts for clarity, both from fans and civic voices, Jah Prayzah's visa saga may mark a turning point in how public associations and political perceptions influence international travel for Zimbabwe's elite.
Posting on Facebook on Friday, 27 June, Gorimbo penned a cryptic but emotionally charged message in both Shona and English, describing the situation as a warning of greater consequences to come.
"Zviri kuitika, zvikaramba zvichiitika pane zvichaitika,"
(What is happening, if it keeps happening, will result in something happening.)
He added:
"Once vese vakatanga kuitwa denied yah, vanogona kuzoita zviite. Nyika yave kugadzirwa ne embassy."
(Once they all start being denied, then it becomes a pattern. The country is now being fixed by the US Embassy.)
In what appeared to be a direct, albeit veiled reference to Jah Prayzah, Gorimbo continued:
"They treat you accordingly. I respect Mukoma, but I think this was a sign. First sign. Kutaura pachikuru, unoti technically not denied. Ndini ndadaro."
(They treat you based on what they see. I respect the elder brother, but I think this was a sign — the first. To soften it, you say technically not denied. But that's just how I see it.)
The comments come a day after Jah Prayzah, real name Mukudzeyi Mukombe, announced the abrupt cancellation of the US leg of his Ndini Mukudzei world tour. He was scheduled to perform in Washington, D.C., on July 4 and Dallas, Texas, on July 5.
In his statement, the award-winning artist attributed the visa setback to a "technical issue" on his application forms.
"We attended our visa appointments earlier this month, but due to a technical issue on our application forms, we couldn't proceed. That meant restarting the process… and unfortunately, no new appointment dates were available in time," he wrote.
He added that full refunds would be issued to fans who had already purchased tickets.
Despite the explanation, online speculation has been rife. Many believe the visa denial may have been influenced by Jah Prayzah's public association with Chivayo — a businessman widely viewed as a symbol of Zimbabwe's elite corruption networks and ZANU-PF patronage.
Chivayo has lavished Jah Prayzah with extravagant gifts over the past six months, including US$300,000 in cash, a 2025 Range Rover Autobiography, and multiple vehicles for his backing band. His frequent public declarations of support for the singer have not gone unnoticed, particularly in the wake of tightening US visa policies.
"As I promised before… your brand new 2025 Range Rover Autobiography is FULLY PAID FOR and ready for collection. In addition, please collect your US$150,000 in CASH as promised."
In January, following online backlash against the musician, Chivayo pledged US$10 per negative comment posted about Jah Prayzah — and later delivered US$150,000 in cash.
Critics say such displays of wealth and association with politically exposed persons may have triggered red flags with US consular officers.
"Mbavha dzaanotamba nadzo ndidzo dzakamunyimisa visa," posted one user on X.
(The thieves he associates with are the reason he was denied a visa.)
Another added:
"There is nothing like a technical issue boss. Visa was just denied, it happens, and they don't give you a reason."
The visa issue also comes amid new US State Department guidelines, introduced in early 2025, which require consular officers to conduct rigorous vetting of all applicants — including scrutiny of social media, public affiliations, and financial links.
"The United States must be vigilant during the visa issuance process," the directive reads. "Applicants must credibly establish their eligibility and prove that they will engage only in permitted activities."
While Jah Prayzah denied any political connection to the visa denial and thanked the US Consulate for its efforts, Gorimbo's message has struck a chord with many Zimbabweans, who see it as an unfiltered reflection of shifting diplomatic attitudes toward politically linked public figures.
Despite the setback, Jah Prayzah confirmed that his Canadian tour dates — Edmonton on July 11 and Toronto on July 12 — remain unchanged, and promised fans that new US dates would be announced soon.
"I remain indebted and promise to fulfil this part of the tour in the very near future," he said.
As pressure mounts for clarity, both from fans and civic voices, Jah Prayzah's visa saga may mark a turning point in how public associations and political perceptions influence international travel for Zimbabwe's elite.
Source - online
