The Internet erupted Tuesday with rumours that Zimbabwe music icon Oliver Mtukudzi was dead after a short illness, but it has been confirmed the reports were false.

Terence Mapurisana, an entertainment and music scribe and close friend to Shepherd Mutamba, Mtukudzi's spokesman, wrote on Facebook dispelling the rumours, declaring 'the artist is very much alive.'

On Saturday, Mtukudzi performed in the afternoon but could not do the evening show or Sunday's gig, as he was home resting. Quoting Mutamba, Mapurisana said Tuku is fine now and back at work.

'On Friday he will be in Bulawayo for a show and on Saturday he will be in Mabvuku and on Sunday another show has been lined up for Chitungwiza before he heads for Kenya."

Tuku's spokesman said that Tuku is a diabetic and sometimes the condition induces severe exhaustion, which requires that he takes a rest.