Controversial businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei, via his Bridging Gaps Foundation, reportedly paid US$245,000 to secure the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) for a New Year’s Eve event, effectively preventing popular artist Winky D from using the venue for his traditional year-end performance.
The sum paid for the venue also covered the cost of 200 hotel rooms for a five-day stay.
Winky D, who had made a booking for the HICC in May, expressed frustration over the cancellation, stating that the venue’s owners had chosen to prioritize another event on the same date.
It has now come to light that the venue was reserved by Tagwirei’s foundation on behalf of the Seventh Day Adventist Church (SDA), with Tagwirei, a devout SDA member, being closely involved in the arrangements. According to a source familiar with the situation, the church typically holds its Crossover Service at Glamis Arena Stadium, but Rainbow Tourism Group extended the invitation to Tagwirei to use the HICC, not the other way around.
The same source explained that Rainbow found Winky D’s booking less financially appealing due to its revenue-sharing structure and preferred a direct payment. As a result, the final agreement saw Tagwirei paying the full amount, which included the venue and the hotel rooms.
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Despite repeated attempts to contact Rainbow’s corporate communications manager, Pride Khumbula, for comment, there has been no response. Tagwirei has also declined to comment on the matter.
The cancellation has sparked backlash among Winky D’s fans, who allege that the hotel group is colluding with the ruling Zanu PF party to suppress the artist’s work. Tagwirei’s involvement, being a known financier of the ruling party, has fueled these suspicions.
Winky D, known for his politically charged lyrics, has previously found himself at odds with the government, with his music even being banned by ZBC at one point. It remains uncertain whether he has abandoned plans for this year’s New Year’s Eve show or if he will announce a new venue.