Published by the government of Zimbabwe
7 January 2008
Harare — UNITED STATES-BASED Chimurenga icon Thomas "Mukanya" Mapfumo remains a Zimbabwean and has no case to answer with the authorities, the Minister of Policy Implementation Cde Webster Shamu, has said.
Thomas Mapfumo relocated to the US at the turn of the century.
He also left for Oregon, his new base together with his two brothers -- William and Lancelot -- who are also part of his backing band, the Blacks Unlimited.
Cde Shamu, who is also the patron for the Zimbabwe Union of Musicians, was addressing the Mapfumo family on Friday as he conveyed his condolence message following the death of Janet Mapfumo, the mother of the veteran musician.
Janet died on Christmas Day last year at St Annes Hospital in Harare, at the age of 80, after she suffered a severe stroke.
In his condolence message at a Mapfumo family home in Mbare, Cde Shamu said he had learnt with great shock the death of Janet Mapfumo and it was sad that her children abroad had not been able to return home for the funeral.
Cde Shamu dismissed as false stories making headlines in some sections of the media that Mukanya's life was in danger in Zimbabwe which would probably explain why he did not come for his mother's burial.
"There have been a lot of stories that Mapfumo was not a free man in Zimbabwe. That is a lie. He is one of us, he has contributed immensely to the music industry.
"Thomas Mapfumo haana mhosva yaakapara and as such he has no case to answer.
"Haaende kunosimudza hapwa kuvatorwa, kana pane zvanetsa anofanira kudzoka togara pasi kana pane zvinenge zvichinetsa togadzirisana.
"(Thomas) Mapfumo should always remember that home is best and he should occasionally come for the December biras we have known him staging every year. His fans miss him," he said.
Shamu added that ZUM could have taken part in the burial arrangements had they been advised of Janet Mapfumo's death on time.
Turning to the Zimbabwe Union of Musicians, Cde Shamu said the association should keep the nation up to date with developments in their field, including news of deaths.
Speaking at the same occasion, Edith Mapfumo, the third born in the Mapfumo family, described her mother as "a mother, friend and mentor" who was irreplaceable.
"I would also like to thank the church and family members for their support especially us the ladies who did much of the work," she said.
She said there were plans to compile the footage of the late Janet Mapfumo's burial on DVD that would be availed to friends and relatives who were not present.
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