Malloti, Hullengende rile promoters

Events management experts, promoters and arts industry regulators are calling for action against Zimdancehall couple Malloti Rose and Ezbornwage "Hulengende" Chidamajaya over a string of alleged no-shows and late appearances after receiving performance deposits.

Some industry stakeholders have gone as far as calling for the couple to be barred from performing, arguing that their alleged conduct is causing financial losses for promoters, venue owners and fans.

The concerns follow several reported incidents in which the artistes allegedly failed to honour booked performances after receiving deposits, while in other cases they reportedly arrived late, leaving promoters to deal with frustrated audiences.

The complaints have also reportedly extended beyond Zimbabwe, with UK-based promoters and organisers in the region said to have suffered losses after the couple allegedly failed to fulfil performance commitments.

The latest incident occurred at Dhana Leisure Centre in Mutoko, where angry fans reportedly vandalised the venue after Malloti and Hulengende failed to appear for a scheduled show on August 10.

The venue's management said it was facing significant repair costs following the violence.

Dhana Leisure Centre manager Shepherd Maeni said the situation descended into chaos after the artistes failed to turn up.

"The situation was chaotic at our centre after irate fans in Mutoko destroyed property on August 10 after they failed to come," Maeni said.

He said a promoter had hired the venue for the performance and assured management that arrangements were in place.

"On the day of the show, we assisted them with logistics as we normally do with other artistes, but this time around, the script horribly went wrong as they failed to show up," he said.

Maeni said angry fans subsequently damaged the property.

"Fans shattered our windows, looted stock and damaged cars and the stage in anger," he said.

Although the final cost of the damage was still being assessed, Maeni said the repairs could run into tens of thousands of dollars.

"We are still to ascertain the value of the damage, but it runs into thousands of US dollars," he said.

"It was quite unfortunate, and something needs to be done to address the issue. It was more than a war as fans were really angry with them."

The incident has renewed calls for stronger mechanisms to protect promoters and venue owners from financial losses when artistes fail to honour contractual commitments.

The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) has previously urged musicians and other performers to adopt greater professionalism and respect their contractual obligations.

NACZ spokesperson Agga Nyabinde, himself an artist, said musicians needed to treat their performances as professional engagements.

"Artists need to be professional by fulfilling their contractual obligations," Nyabinde said.

"Artists should take their jobs seriously, and this is what we have been longing for over the years."

Zimdancehall scout and Star FM presenter Godfatha Templeman has similarly spoken out about professionalism within the music industry.

Templeman, who has helped identify and promote several Zimdancehall artistes, has repeatedly urged musicians to conduct themselves professionally and avoid drug and substance abuse.

"With professionalism, our artistes can go far," he said.

He also warned that substance abuse could negatively affect musicians' careers and their ability to honour engagements.

"Another serious issue we have been discussing is that of drug and substance abuse, which should be condemned in the strongest terms," Templeman said.

"We don't want artistes failing to attend shows or painting a bad image of the industry through their conduct."

The latest controversy has intensified debate over whether promoters should demand stronger contractual safeguards, including clear cancellation clauses and mechanisms for recovering deposits when performers fail to appear.

For now, the Mutoko incident has left Dhana Leisure Centre facing a substantial repair bill, while calls for greater accountability within the local entertainment industry continue to grow.