Manyeruke breaks silence after misfortunes

Baba Mechanic Manyeruke to release new album | The Chronicle — **Machanic Manyeruke**

Tapiwanashe Chimoto

The granddad of gospel music, Machanic Manyeruke, says despite the misfortunes that visited him some months ago, he is still determined to host his farewell gala as per earlier plans.

He said in an interview Wednesday he is considering the month of October as the ideal time of appearing on stage for the final time, adding he expects a number of other musicians to grace the occasion as supporting acts.

Speaking on the matter for the first time since the news of his being conned of two personal vehicles broke out, Manyeruke said he is going back to the drawing board to seek new plans of how best to go about fulfilling his farewell concert wish.

Having been in the musical industry for more than five decades - during which period he was a recipient of a number of local and international awards - it was Manyeruke’s intention to organize a final musical show.

On this platform, according to original plans, he would bid bye to the multitudes who have supported him over the years.

However, the plans turned soar after two conmen, one of them a serving member of the ZRP Police Protection Unit section, Regional Chida, 37, and an accomplice, Ezra Manzvidza, 23, hatched a plan to con him of a Nissan Patrol and Honda CRV vehicles valued at US$16 500. They were impersonating high Government officials. Both cars have since been recovered and the two accused have appeared in court.

Commenting on the legal developments, Manyeruke said:

“The case is still in court and it would be sub judice if I comment, especially given that there are prominent personalities that have been mentioned. It would be best to let the wheels of justice take their course, and await a solution to emanate from the arms of law.”

Manyeruke’s musical career dates back to 1969 when he began as a secular musician. He then migrated to gospel as one of the pioneers of the genre together with the likes of the late Jordan Chataika.

To date, he has 25 albums to his name and among the discography are popular songs like Zakewu, Ari mandiri Jesu, Mabasa, Ndeyeiko Nyaya and Siyabonga Baba, among others.