Thomas Mapfumo sued for US$50 000

Former Blacks Unlimited publicist Blessing Vava has sued legendary musician Thomas "Mukanya" Mapfumo and his band manager Cuthbert Chiromo for US$50 000 over alleged defamatory statements.

The case has been filed at the High Court of Zimbabwe, with Vava cited as the plaintiff and Mapfumo and Chiromo as the first and second defendants respectively.

Vava's claim arises from an interview Mapfumo allegedly gave to H-Metro and comments attributed to the two defendants during a Nehanda TV podcast, which he says damaged his reputation and standing.

According to court papers, Mapfumo allegedly caused or permitted statements concerning Vava to be published by H-Metro on or about August 11, 2026.

"In the said publication, the first defendant identified the plaintiff as one of the persons allegedly influencing Mr Kurai Makore against the first defendant," reads part of the summons.

Vava's lawyers argue that the statements, in their ordinary meaning or by implication, suggested that he had improperly interfered in the relationship between Mapfumo and Makore.

The summons also refers to a separate publication on Nehanda TV and YouTube, where the allegation was allegedly repeated.

"During the podcast, which was listened to by local and international audiences, the allegation that the plaintiff improperly influenced and/or manipulated Kurai Makore against the first defendant was repeated," the papers state.

Chiromo is also alleged to have referred to Vava as a "witch" and claimed that he had attended the funeral of the late Lancelot Mapfumo while allegedly presenting himself as a representative of Mapfumo without the musician's knowledge, authority or consent.

The band manager is further alleged to have claimed that Vava operated or controlled several social media accounts to turn Mapfumo against his fans and supporters.

Vava's lawyers argue that the statements were wrongful, false and defamatory, saying they portrayed their client as dishonest, untrustworthy and lacking integrity.

"In their natural and ordinary meaning, alternatively by implication, the statements were understood to mean that the plaintiff is dishonest and criminally inclined; is deceitful and untrustworthy; manipulates others for selfish purposes; maliciously interferes in the affairs of others; lacks integrity and moral standing; and is unworthy of personal and professional trust," the summons states.

The lawyers also singled out the alleged reference to Vava as a "thief", arguing that it directly imputed criminality and dishonesty to their client.

Vava's legal team denies the allegations contained in the publications.

"The plaintiff is not a thief, does not improperly manipulate Mr Makore or the first defendant, and does not operate covert social media accounts for the purposes alleged," the lawyers said.

According to the summons, the statements were published to third parties through H-Metro, Nehanda TV and YouTube, thereby allegedly causing reputational harm to Vava.

The claim was reportedly aggravated by the defendants' alleged failure to retract the statements by August 21, 2026.

In seeking US$50 000 in damages, Vava's lawyers cited the seriousness of the allegations, particularly those concerning alleged theft, dishonesty and manipulation.

A notice of appearance to defend has since been filed at the High Court under case number HCH 4496/26.

Mapfumo and Chiromo will now have an opportunity to respond to the allegations as the matter proceeds through the court process.

The allegations contained in Vava's summons have not been determined by the High Court and remain contested.