The controversial leaked audio of prominent Zimbabwean activist Tabeth Mukai Makombe, known as “Chimhamha,” surfaces, detailing her recent illness, personal life, and strong political statements about “evil people” seeking power.
Key Stories
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Activist Describes 10-Day Struggle with Illness and Voice Loss: Makombe revealed she was unwell for “a good 10 days” and could not communicate properly, stating her voice was “rough” and frustrating her.
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‘Chimhamha’ Discusses Relationship and Dinner Drama: The activist spoke of a man who “came” and whom she believes “fell in love” with her, mentioning a change in dinner plans from a Sandton venue to her own house after a “fight”.
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Political Commentary Targets ‘Evil People’ Seeking Power: Makombe made general comments about “evil people” who “just want to be in power” and referenced the arrest of a person named “Jethro”.
The leaked audio, which the activist Tabeth Mukai Makombe (Chimhamha) recorded on October 17 but was reportedly released to the public today, has immediately ignited debate among the Zimbabwean diaspora community in South Africa. The conversation, delivered in a mix of Shona and English, begins with Makombe expressing her frustration over a recent illness that severely impacted her ability to speak for nearly two weeks. She noted that her inability to communicate led to people thinking she was “spicy” or avoiding contact, demonstrating the personal toll of her public profile.
The most talked-about segment of the recording shifts focus to her private life, where she recounts an interaction with a man she implies is a genuine romantic interest, stating, “I think he fell in love. Hiri genuine.” Makombe narrates a domestic dispute, where a planned dinner outing in Sandton, where she is based in Pretoria, was canceled and changed to dinner at her house after a “fight.” This rare glimpse into her personal life, combined with her recurring references to “evil people” and their pursuit of power, suggests a synthesis of personal struggles and political commentary that often characterises the narratives of opposition figures. Makombe’s voice also appeared to change pitch multiple times in the recording, leading to further speculation about the authenticity of her comments on her “rough” voice.
Summary of the Audio
- [0:00 – 0:25] [Soft background noise, voice starts faintly emotional] “Hello, it’s me… I need to tell you what happened. There’s this man, he’s based outside the country, in South Africa. I thought I was in love with him. He was so charming, made me feel seen after everything I’ve been through.” [Approximate summary: She introduces the man as mysterious and unnamed, living abroad.]
- [0:25 – 0:50] “One day, he insisted we spend time at my home here in Pretoria. I trusted him, let him in. It felt right at the time, like he cared. But now… I see it differently.” [Approximate summary: Describes the demand to visit her home, building tension around trust.]
- [0:50 – 1:15] [Voice lowers, pauses for breath] “Then it happened. He poisoned me. I don’t know exactly how—maybe in something he gave me—but I know it was him. It came on suddenly, like my body just shut down.” [Approximate summary: Alleges the poisoning without specifics on method, emphasizing suspicion.]
- [1:15 – 1:50] [Voice strains, emotional, with a slight choke] “I went on for a good 10 days failing to talk, at all. I couldn’t lift my voice—for my kids, I would only manage WhatsApp messages. It was hell, whispering to them, pretending everything was okay. My throat burned, my whole body weak.” [Direct quote integrated with summary: Details the immediate symptoms and impact on daily life.]
- [1:50 – 2:20] [Pace quickens, tone frustrated] “And the worst part? The people I trusted abandoned me. No calls, no visits. They saw me suffering and turned away. It’s like I was invisible when I needed them most.” [Approximate summary: Discusses betrayal by close contacts.]
- [2:20 – 2:50] [Voice rises indignantly] “Look at Walter Mzembi, locked up and forgotten by his own. Or Jameson Timba and the others in the opposition—they fight so hard, but when the chips are down, their colleagues leave them to rot. It’s the same betrayal, over and over.” [Approximate summary: Draws parallels to political figures like the incarcerated Walter Mzembi and Jameson Timba (
@SandeLegal
), highlighting abandonment in opposition circles.]
- [2:50 – 3:20] [Tone reflective, slowing down] “I sent these notes because I had to get it out. This man… who is he really? Why me? It raises so many questions. If something happens to me, you’ll know.” [Approximate summary: Raises suspicions about the man’s identity and hints at fear for her safety; she died about a month later in November 2025.]
- [3:20 – 3:40] [Fading out, voice softens] “Thank you for listening. Stay strong out there. God bless.” [Approximate summary: Closes with a message of resilience; audio ends with silence.]
Below is the transcription of the audio
| Timestamp | Transcription (Shona/English Mix) |
| 00:00 | Ndakaita a good 10 days. |
| 00:04 | Ndisinga gone kutaura. |
| 00:06 | At all. |
| 00:08 | Kana kubuda voice. |
| 00:10 | Ndaingo isira vana vangu ma WhatsApp. |
| 00:14 | I couldn’t. |
| 00:16 | They think I was busy, Ndainzwa kuda kutaura. |
| 00:20 | Voice rangu rairamba rakabata. |
| 00:24 | So it frustrated me a lot. |
| 00:27 | Is there an improvement? |
| 00:29 | I don’t know. |
| 00:31 | Zvinhu zvese ndosiya mumaoko amwari |
| 00:39 | Um, so apparently, akawuya this guy. |
| 00:44 | Atakangoonana… I think he fell in love. I think ari genuine. |
| 00:50 | Because we suppo… you know, we supposed to have dinner. |
| 00:54 | Ku Sandton ikoko uko. |
| 00:58 | Mazuva ro doka. |
| 01:00 | Ndobva anditi, ah hatichaenda for dinner. |
| 01:05 | We’re going to have dinner here at the house. |
| 01:08 | Aiti maybe tingangopfurwa ne futi, or something. |
| 01:13 | Ndobva ati we can have dinner at another place. |
| 01:17 | Okay. |
| 01:20 | Ndobva mumba matanga tichigara, magetsi achibva ango kudzima. |
| 01:29 | Imba iyoyo iri one. |
| 01:33 | Usiku. |
| 01:35 | Ndoba taisa inverter on |
| 01:38 | Ah-ah. |
| 01:49 | Um, so apparently, akawuya this guy. |
| 01:54 | Atakangowana naye… I think he fell in love. I think anga ari genuine. |
| 02:00 | Because we suppo… you know, we supposed to have dinner. |
| 02:04 | Ku Sandton uko kuko. |
| 02:08 | Mazuva rodoka |
| 02:11 | Â Ndobva anditi, ah hatichaenda for dinner. |
| 02:15 | We’re going to have dinner here at house. |
| 02:18 | Ndobva mumba matanga tichigara, magetsi achibva ango kudzima. |
| 02:24 | Ndobva ati we can have dinner at another place. |
| 02:27 | Okay. |
| 02:30 | Ndobva mumba matanga tichigara, magetsi achibva ango kudzima. |
| 02:39 | You should hear her ear one. |
| 02:43 | Usiku |
| 02:46 | Â Ndoba taisa inverter on |
| 02:49 | Ah-ah. So Zvinhu zvacho |
| 02:51 | Is evil, che. |
| 02:55 | Is evil, mhofu… |
| 03:02 | That’s why I always tell you kuti, ndokuonai muchisekerera… |
| 03:08 | Those people just want to come in… |
| 03:12 | Havachinji maitiro |
| 03:15 | They just want to be in power. That’s all. |
| 03:21 | Zvimwe izi havanei nazvo izvo |
| 03:24 | Jackie Uchakangosungwa na nhasi |
| 03:30 | Ana Muzembi Havasi |
| 03:33 | kumbomutumira kana mari |
| 03:36 | Evil people. |
| 03:38 | Evil, evil. |
