The permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Nick Mangwana has said self-exiled Chimurenga musician Thomas Mukanya Mapfumo is free to come to Zimbabwe.
Mapfumo had said he won’t come to Zimbabwe to attend the funeral of his brother and band percussionist, Lancelot Mapfumo who died last month saying he is afraid that the government would harm him.
Mangwana however, said assured Mapfumo that his security is guaranteed. Said Mangwana in a Twitter post seen by Pindula News:
We wish to express our sincere condolences to Mr Thomas Mapfumo over the sad loss of his younger brother, Lancelot (MHSRIP). We wish to advise Mr Mapfumo that he has nothing to fear in Zimbabwe. The security of his person is as assured as the rest of us.
Mapfumo, a staunch government critic, left the country in 2001 following persecution by the Robert Mugabe-led regime.
He was critical of the country’s governance system, a theme inherent in his songs. Before independence, Mukanya was jailed by the Smith regime for his strong stance against human rights abuses.
In 2008, Mapfumo failed to attend his mother’s funeral, burial or memorial service also citing the possibility that authorities would harass him, or worse.
Mapfumo, who openly supports opposition Citizens Coalition for Change leader Nelson Chamisa and his party, was last home in April 2018 where he staged some homecoming gigs. He was not harassed.
He also took the time to visit the tombs of his late mother and those of relatives who died during his long absence.