ED huchi man falls on hard times

Bobi Makaza (62), the man who captured national attention for chanting "ED huchi!" while praising President Emmerson Mnangagwa upon his release from prison, has fallen on hard times after losing both his fortune and his car.

Makaza, who became a household name during Zanu-PF's 2023 election campaign, is now struggling to make ends meet after being defrauded and abandoned by a woman he trusted.

The former convict was released from Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison in 2023 under a presidential amnesty after serving less than five years of a 16-year sentence for raping a 10-year-old girl. Following his release, he became an instant celebrity within the ruling party after coining the campaign slogan "ED huchi," which became a rallying cry at Zanu-PF gatherings.

His newfound fame saw him receive US$2 000 and a Toyota Aqua from businessman Wicknell Chivayo, along with promises of a house and cash from party officials. However, just two years later, Makaza's fortunes have evaporated.

Speaking from his rural home, the man now known locally as "Mudhara Huchi" admitted that he lost his money to a woman he met at an apostolic shrine in Uzumba. The 32-year-old cross-border trader from Namibia reportedly convinced him to fund her travels and business ventures.

"I gave her US$200 to travel from Namibia and another US$600 to start a chicken project," Makaza said. "She worked hard, but the business failed. She later left, saying Zimbabwe was not good for her business."

Makaza also revealed that he used part of the money to pay lobola for the woman, only for her to disappear once the funds dried up. The former convict had been married three times before his imprisonment.

His troubles did not end there. Makaza said he lost his Toyota Aqua to a group of young men who promised to operate it as a taxi on his behalf. "They said I would get US$120 per week, but it turned out to be a bad deal. The next time I saw the car, it was in a terrible state," he said.

He eventually traded the vehicle for an old Toyota Noah, which has since broken down and now lies idle at his homestead.

Looking frail and despondent, Makaza expressed regret over how he handled the gifts that came his way after his release. "I wasted an opportunity to build a better life," he admitted. "I appeal to Mr Chivayo to smile at me again. I have learnt my lesson."

Once celebrated as a symbol of redemption and political loyalty, Makaza's story has now turned into a cautionary tale about the fleeting nature of fortune and fame — and the struggles faced by ex-prisoners trying to rebuild their lives after release.