- Zimbabwean musicians Gift Amuli and First Farai have publicly reconciled, ending their legal dispute over alleged funeral fund embezzlement.
- The reconciliation followed intervention from music promoter Patson Chimbodza.
- The dispute emerged from a viral video where Amuli accused First Farai of misappropriating funds from the late Cephas Mashakada’s funeral 15 years ago.
- First Farai, recently elected ZIMURA vice-chairperson, had reported Amuli to the police, leading to his arrest on cyberbullying charges.
The long-standing allegations surrounding the late sungura musician Cephas Mashakada’s funeral funds resurfaced recently, sparking a significant viral scandal within Zimbabwe’s music circles. Musician Gift Amuli took to social media, accusing fellow artist First Farai and a member of the Mashakada family of embezzlement. This led to a public and legal confrontation, with First Farai denying the claims and initiating legal action against Amuli under the Cyber and Data Protection Act. The incident highlighted the growing impact of social media in shaping public discourse and the reputations of public figures in Zimbabwe’s arts sector.
The family of the late Cephas Mashakada, through his daughter Memory ‘Madhiki’ Mashakada, has since publicly cleared First Farai, dismissing the accusations as baseless and malicious. She affirmed First Farai’s trustworthiness and stated that all funds were accounted for. Despite the legal proceedings and a court order against Amuli, the musicians announced their reconciliation, bringing a swift, albeit controversial, end to the public feud. The rapid resolution, coming within 72 hours of their legal battles, underscores the pressure and influence of public opinion and intermediary efforts in local celebrity disputes.
This incident also casts a spotlight on governance and transparency within music industry bodies like the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (ZIMURA), especially given First Farai’s recent election to a leadership position. The timing of the renewed allegations, coinciding with his new role, suggests underlying tensions and personal agendas at play within the industry, as noted by First Farai himself. The resolution, while welcomed by some, also raises questions about the adherence to legal processes when personal agreements are reached.
Timeline
- **February 23, 2026, Early Day (Approx. 10 hours ago):** News breaks of the reconciliation between Gift Amuli and First Farai, following intervention from Patson Chimbodza.
- **February 23, 2026, Early Day (Approx. 12 hours ago):** Bulawayo24 News publishes an article detailing Memory Mashakada’s statement clearing First Farai.
- **February 23, 2026:** Amuli and First Farai announce they have forgiven each other, despite ongoing legal proceedings.
Key Players
- **Gift Amuli:** Zimbabwean musician, accused of cyberbullying and defaming First Farai via a viral Facebook post.
- **First Farai:** Zimbabwean musician, Vice-Chairperson of ZIMURA, the target of Amuli’s allegations, and the complainant in the cyberbullying case.
- **Memory ‘Madhiki’ Mashakada:** Daughter of the late Cephas Mashakada, who publicly cleared First Farai of the embezzlement claims.
- **Patson Chimbodza:** Music promoter who intervened to facilitate the reconciliation between Amuli and First Farai.
- **Ms Ruth Moyo:** Harare magistrate who issued a court order against Amuli regarding the legal dispute.
