Online Reporter
Gilbert Munetsi
MUSICIAN Callisto “The Bullet” Nyamhute has dragged the family of his maternal grandparents to court for sidelining him in traditional issues to do with the clan, including the unveiling of tombstones.
He claims some family members, from his mother’s side, secretly arranged to unveil tombstones of his grandparents without involving him.
He said he was snubbed despite being the one who footed all the medical and funeral bills for them.
In a civil case before Chitungwiza Magistrates’ Courts, the “Special Meat” hit-maker is demanding US$25,000 or the equivalent in ZIG at the prevailing bank rate.
He has also instructed his legal team to demand an interest rate of five percent to be calculated from the date of issue of summons to the date of payment, as well as the defendants to pay for the cost of the suit.
The defendants − Chengetanai Stanley, Sekesai and Rosemary Nyamhute − are nephews and nieces in the Nyamhute clan where Callisto was adopted and raised.
His mother’s maiden name is Nyamhute, which surname he also went on to adopt.
He grew up under the care of his maternal grandfather and grandmother, George Matikwana and Prisca Swererai Nyamhute.
They died in 1990 and 1999.
He also assisted other family members who died and they include Chimhepo Elias, Eder Masodzi Chigango, Tafirenyika and Nenerai Karimazondo.
“In all the above-mentioned funerals, plaintiff used his personal funds in providing coffins, food, transport, cultural systems and all medical bills from the time of ailment of some of the deceased persons,” Nyamhute’s lawyers said in their documents.
“Plaintiff, however, noted that the defendants mentioned above created a group amongst themselves wherein they personally contributed and funded the unveiling of tombstones on the 17th of August 2024 of his adopted parents to disadvantage him.
“Despite several demands, including a letter of demand served upon the defendants on the 17th of August 2024, the said defendants have refused, ignored and or neglected to pay the plaintiff the amount being claimed.”
Contacted for comment, Nyamhute said:
“Vane pfungwa nhete vanhu ava. Fungai kuti ndini ndakamira nasekuru nambuya vangu pahurwere nepakuvigwa kwavo, nhasi vondiona sechikorobho.
“Mbuya nasekuru ndivo vatori vabereki vangu nekuti ndivo vakandirera, saka kana pane zvoitwa ndisina kuziviswa kana kuti ndisiri mazviri, zvorevei manje?
“Ndotoda kuripwa, otherwise hazviperi mushe.”
Nyamhute rose to musical prominence with his hit album, “Ndakamupfimba Ndega,” which he released in 1998.
He later released the likes of “Special Meat”, “Sweetman,” “Oil Oil” and “Woman’s Legs”.
Virtually retired from the musical scene, he now runs a family business in Chitungwiza that specialises in the manufacture of electrical gates, tyre treading, gas filling and flea markets.
