Harare – Gospel musician Darlington “Mambo Dhuterere” Mutseta has issued a public apology to President Emmerson Mnangagwa following the arrest and court appearance of his wife, Dorcas Vambe, also known as Mai Dhuterere, on fraud charges.
Mai Dhuterere stands accused of defrauding aspiring Glen Norah MP Chrispen Magaya of US$16 000 in a vehicle import scheme. The case has taken a dramatic turn with allegations that Mai Dhuterere falsely claimed to possess a presidential waiver for duty-free vehicle imports.
The court heard that in September, Mai Dhuterere and her brother learned of Magaya’s search for a Toyota Hilux GD6, with a budget of US$16,000. They allegedly approached Magaya, falsely claiming to have access to a car sale in Botswana offering the desired vehicle. Furthermore, they deceitfully asserted that Magaya’s budget could secure two Toyota Hilux GD6 vehicles due to a purported import duty waiver granted to Mai Dhuterere.
This waiver, according to the prosecution, was falsely presented as being granted by President Mnangagwa himself, supposedly in recognition of Mai Dhuterere’s musical contributions to the nation. “They also misrepresented that the singer had a waiver ‘courtesy of the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe for singing for the nation’ and they could bring the vehicles to Zimbabwe duty-free,” the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) stated in a subsequent press release.
Magaya, believing their claims, paid the full US$16,000 to Mai Dhuterere, receiving an affidavit acknowledging receipt of the funds and a commitment to deliver the two vehicles within two weeks. However, the promised vehicles never materialised. Instead, under pressure from Magaya, the siblings produced a fraudulent invoice for a Ford Ranger with an expired temporary import permit. This vehicle was brought into Zimbabwe and given to Magaya as a replacement for one of the Hilux trucks, with a further promise of a Mercedes Benz C200 to follow.
Magaya’s use of the Ford Ranger was short-lived; it was impounded by police for possessing an expired temporary import permit. This led Magaya to realise he had been defrauded, prompting him to file a police report. No assets were recovered.
Following his wife’s court appearance, Mambo Dhuterere took to Facebook to issue a public apology to President Mnangagwa. His statement, filled with emotion and regret, expressed his sorrow at being implicated in the scandal.
“Am very sorry to the President for being dragged in these mess.. and sorry to guy kana iri nyaya yeshuwa cos kuno vese varikundirambira. I have never been granted free pass yekupinza anything for free. Former MP maizovharwa sei nana tsano kuti ivo vane pass and with your understanding you should have known kuti hakuna zvakadaro or kundifonera unless muchidawo kusvibisa ini that won’t be fair.
“Anyone anedhiri raakaita na someone close to me claiming I know something as long as usina kundiona handizvizi.. how painful kusvibiswa neve pedyo, tsanoz ne mfesi uyu vakazivana ndisati ndaziva madam. Police pa Central ne Southerton yakambovakumbira kuti yananai nyaya dzenyu dzosvibisa Mambo, here we’re… Hamunawo tsitsi neni here ndirikubva munedzimwe nyaya dzaigadzirwa ne vanhu ndoti ndadzokawo mondidai..
“Knowing deeply kuti l have nothing to do with this.. police ndoo yonzwa tsitsi zvokutokukumbirai kuyanana moramba, not only that motodhonza ne mkuru wenyika… Mwari wekudanga ave ne vanhu ava,” he ended his statement.
His post also expressed deep hurt at being betrayed by those close to him and pleaded for compassion, stating he was already dealing with other fabricated issues.
He concluded by invoking divine justice upon those involved. The incident highlights the complexities of public figures’ lives and the potential for personal issues to intersect with political sensitivities.
