The once-enviable love triangle of Zimbabwean dancehall star DJ Fantan, his ex-wife Gamuchirai Nemukuyu, and his now-wife Vimbai Muponda, has taken a dramatic turn, with accusations of fake receipts, abandonment, and a bitter battle for the hearts and minds of the courts.
The saga began in July 2022 when the couple’s relationship, already fraught with tension, imploded after Gamuchirai was involved in a public altercation with Vimbai, whom she claimed was dating the music producer. The incident sparked a media frenzy, with Gamuchirai accusing Fantan of abandoning her for Vimbai, who she alleged was his “small house.”
Adding fuel to the fire, just a month later, DJ Fantan married Vimbai in a traditional ceremony, with pictures of the event flooding social media. Gamuchirai, meanwhile, took to social media to express her hurt and anger, accusing Fantan of leaving her to fend for herself while he enjoyed a luxurious life with his new wife.
However, Gamuchirai was not one to be left behind. In about 100 days of Fantan’s wedding, she too found love and married her new partner, posting pictures on social media as “ma V11” to prove that she had moved on, just like her ex-husband.
The couple’s tumultuous relationship continued to play out in the courts, with Fantan seeking access to his two minor children, who were in Gamuchirai’s custody. Gamuchirai, however, countered his claims, accusing him of using the children as a ploy to get back into her life.
“He is always here and on one of the days, he clashed with my lover. Anogara achiuya kwandiri achiti ndaunzira vana malollipop, adaro okumbira kuwana nguva neni (lula lula). Kana achida zvebarika ngaabude pachena. He must give me space, and allow me to move on since he decided to divorce me for another woman. He is disturbing my love affair with my man and, as for the kids, check his social media pages and you will see his photographs with the kids. He has time to apply for the custody of children he does not want to acquire birth certificates for,” she told H-Metro at the time.
The latest chapter in this ongoing saga unfolded in the Harare Civil Court, where Gamuchirai accused Fantan of producing a fake receipt to justify his claims that he was buying groceries for their children.
“The grocery receipt he showed the court, the last time, was fake. I realised it when I was home, he had never bought groceries worth US$1 500. Ever since I moved in with my new husband, he is not buying any groceries or paying rent and I do not want him to pay rent for me. I just want him to take care of his own children because he often brings Mazoe, Cerevita and sweets,” she told the court.
Fantan, however, denied the allegations, claiming that he was a responsible father who provided for his children. He even offered to bring witnesses or video footage of him buying groceries with his ex-wife and children to prove his point.
“She is only asking for maintenance because she is the one who wants to spend that money living her best lifestyle with her friends. I take care of my children and provide them with everything they want,” he said.
The court, however, was not convinced by Fantan’s arguments. Magistrate Johanna Mukwesha, presiding over the case, ruled that maintenance was a shared responsibility and that US$300 was too much for Fantan to pay. She ordered him to pay US$100 a month in maintenance for his children.
The court battle between DJ Fantan and Gamuchirai is far from over, with both parties vowing to fight for their rights. The case has become a public spectacle, with the media and social media abuzz with speculation and gossip.
