Squabbles hit Utakataka Express

The Utakataka Express has been rocked by squabbles as family, friends and management fight over the control of the late Tongai Moyo's backing group. This came to light at a memorial service held at the weekend in Sesombe, the late Dhewa's rural home where few of his relatives, friends and some "groupies" attended.

At least two shows that were lined up for the weekend flopped while the actual sharing of Dhewa's clothes and property did not take place at the end of the service as per tradition. The memorial service was slated for Friday and Saturday after which the group was expected to pack the instruments and head to Mhondoro for their first show since Dhewa passed on two weeks ago and then wind up the weekend at Mutangaz in Harare.

But much to the surprise of many, it was Shiga Shiga who turned up at Mutangaz without the band and it was First Farai and Chamunorwa Boroma who performed. There is serious tension within the family with the emergence of Dhewa's first wife Maud Chirwa, the mother to Peter Moyo while on the other hand Knowledge Chosa, Dhewa's cousin is now managing the band, replacing Shiga Shiga, who was managing the group at the time of Dhewa's death. 

There was also talk of the late Dhewa's close allies - Barmet "Bhudhi" Mutosvori and Pedro Phiri who were said to be interfering with the running of the band. However, the two who were described as "hangers on" denied interfering with the band saying it was too early for group to run its own affairs without assistance. 

As things stand now, music promoters are in the dark as to who to approach for bookings. Family spokesperson Chosa played down the issue of squabbles saying he was only there to assist the family and the band.

"What you have to understand is that I was still involved with the band even before Dhewa's death and the only time I wasn't involved was when I has running my own businesses. The family has a say on the band because it was their son's project and they have to be concerned," he said. Asked if he was not duplicating roles, Chosa said whatever decisions Shiga Shiga makes he would consult him first.

"Shiga Shiga can make decisions but it will be null and void for as long as he doesn't consult me. So basically, what we have seen is that Peter is still young and he won't be able to manage the guys like his father so there has to be someone like me who once worked with Dhewa for things to move without hitches," Chosa said.

About the cancellation of the two gigs, Chosa said it was regrettable and inevitable since Peter was still grieving. "The first thing is we had asked Shiga Shiga to postpone the shows to allow Peter enough time to mourn his father. As things stand right now Peter is not yet ready to go on stage and he needs time to prepare for the stage. "Secondly, there is no need to rush the band. I have spoken to the band and I told them we are going to pay their salaries even if they did not perform. We understand their plight because its monthend and they need to pay their rentals and bills. 

"We have their salaries and they don't need to go on stage at the moment," he said. Asked how they would manage to pay the band, Chosa said he had a mine in Kwekwe. "The plan is to pay the band from my pocket since I run my own businesses," he said. On why Maud was also coming into the picture, Chosa said it was her duty to make sure that things went smoothly even though Maud remarried after breaking up with Dhewa.

"As far as Peter's mother is concerned I think her husband allowed her to come and since she wants the best for her son Peter that is why she is running around," he said. One of the senior members of the group who requested not to be named, said squabbles dampened the moral of the group especially that quite a number of music promoters had wanted to book the group for shows. "This (squabbling) is not good for the business and it would have been easier for us to continue with the music had it not been interference from the family," he said.

Partson "Chipaz" Chimbodza, a Harare-based music promoter who attended the memorial service made frantic efforts to iron out issues with the group. Chipaz as he is popularly known in music circles confirmed that squabbles were posing a threat to the band. "I think from business point of view what is happening is not good for the group and name of the band. Look they cancelled the show at whose expense? I am aware a number of (music) promoters would want to assist the group but as long as there are issues like squabbles then the group is serious problem," he said. (Herald)

Chipaz held a meeting with the band members and said they raised concern over a number of issues including the management and family interference. To many, the squabbles that have hit Utakataka Express were almost predictable since there are a lot of interested parties. Mourners who attended the funeral also warned the band against infighting and squabbles but it appears their advice fell on deaf ears.