Musician fallen to hard times — faces eviction

Sungura musician Taruvinga Manjokota, populary known as Shuga Shuga faces eviction from his lodgings after failing to pay rent. The musician was given a notice by his landlord in Budiriro to vacate the house by end of this month. The Mairosi hit maker is blaming his record company Zimbabwe Music Corporation (ZMC) for his woes saying the company is not paying him royalties. He says ZMC owes him US$90.

“I went there (ZMC) and I was told by those in accounts department that there is no money. The other time I went there I was told to wait and left the company at 5pm empty handed,” said Manjokota. The Budiriro-based musician who shed tears when narrating his ordeal, said he has been having problem with the recording company. He says he has proposed several projects that include the shooting of his video in Chimanimani but has always been turned down.

Manjokota said the recording company has failed to release his new album which he said was finished last year and was supposed to be out before Christmas. “I finished recording last year and it was supposed to be out before Christmas but up to now they have not released it. So what do they want me to do?” asked the distraught Manjokota.

The 32-year-old musician said he is shooting a video today but the recording company has not fully provided for the shooting of a video album that is underway. Manjokota said he is considering moving to Metro Studio when his contract expires after the release of his upcoming album. “As you can see I am living in a single room though I got a stand. Mr (Philip) Chiyangwa gave me a stand in Waterfalls but I am failing to develop it because I do not have money. I have to hire instruments and pay my band so I get very little from my live shows.”

ZMC managing director Emmanuel Vhori refused to comment saying he needed Manjokota and this reporter together present, and then give his comment. “If you get Shuga Shuga call me then I will come to you even at 12 midnight. I am free call me then we can have a gentlemen talk. How can he talk about royalties yet he is shooting a video necessitated by ZMC. Call me if you have him and I will come there,” said Vhori. (The Standard)