HARARE – Controversial tycoon Kudakwashe Tagwirei, through his foundation, paid the Rainbow Tourism Group US$245,000 to lock out Winky D from using the Harare International Conference Centre for his traditional New Year’s Eve gig, ZimLive can reveal.
The booking fee includes 200 rooms for five days.
Winky D has accused Rainbow of cancelling his booking made in May, writing in a statement: “The venue owners have chosen to prioritise another event on the same date.”
It has now been established that it is Tagwirei’s Bridging Gaps Foundation which booked the venue on behalf of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. Tagwirei is a devout member of the church.
A source briefed on the developments said: “The SDAs usually hold a Crossover Service at Glamis Arena Stadium. It was Rainbow which invited Tagwirei to use the HICC, not the other way round.
“Rainbow insisted that the arrangement with Winky D was not financially beneficial as it involved revenue share, whereas they wanted an outright payment for use of the venue. They negotiated an arrangement where Tagwirei pays US$245,000 for the HICC and 200 rooms for five days.”
Rainbow corporate communications manager Pride Khumbula had not responded to questions left for her. Tagwirei declined to comment.
The hotel group – part owned by the state – has faced a volley of brickbats from Winky D fans who accuse it of being in a conspiracy with the ruling Zanu PF party to censor the music star. The involvement of Zanu PF financier Tagwirei in the drama has only heightened those suspicions.
Winky D’s searing social commentary in his music has put him in Zanu PF’s crosshairs, and at one point his music was blacklisted by ZBC.
It remains unclear if Winky D has shelved this year’s New Year’s Eve gig, with speculation that he might still announce a different venue.
