By A Correspondent
Zimbabwean hip-hop artist Mukudzei Chitsama, better known as Holy Ten, has garnered support from Zanu PF hardliners after being embroiled in a defamation lawsuit filed by social media figure Mama Vee.
The lawsuit stems from allegations that Holy Ten made defamatory remarks about Mama Vee’s character, which has led to a growing public dispute.
Holy Ten’s troubles began on March 4, 2025, when he posted a video on his Instagram account (@holytenmusic), where he allegedly referred to Mama Vee as a “Ngochani,” a derogatory term in local vernacular meaning homosexual.
Further fuel was added to the fire during an interview on March 18, 2025, on the DJ Ollah 7 podcast, where Holy Ten allegedly reiterated similar statements, accusing Mama Vee of being a bad influence on youth and questioning his worthiness of the NAMA awards.
The controversy intensified when Holy Ten claimed that, during a chance encounter on a plane from South Africa to Zimbabwe on March 10, 2025, he had greeted Mama Vee in a similar derogatory manner. These statements have sparked public outrage and are at the heart of the lawsuit.
Mama Vee’s legal representatives have issued a letter of demand, which outlines the defamatory nature of Holy Ten’s comments. The letter states that the statements made by Holy Ten were not only untrue but also malicious, damaging Mama Vee’s reputation as a respected public figure. The legal team argues that these comments have portrayed Mama Vee as a homosexual with a negative societal influence, damaging both his personal and business reputation.
The lawsuit further alleges that Holy Ten’s statements have led to significant financial losses for Mama Vee, as some of his partnerships have been severed. His reputation as a brand influencer, with over a million social media followers, has reportedly suffered as a result of the controversy.
As part of the legal proceedings, Mama Vee’s lawyers have demanded that Holy Ten publicly retract his statements within 48 hours and pay monetary compensation amounting to US$ 100,000 for damages caused by the defamation.
Amid the legal battle, Holy Ten has garnered backing from Zanu PF hardliners, with youth league official Taurai Kandishaya expressing strong support for the artist. In a statement issued on Thursday, Kandishaya emphasized the importance of defending Zimbabwe’s cultural values, including opposition to homosexuality.
Kandishaya was quoted as saying, “Uyu Mupfanha wedu Zvekutodaro! Anyway, it’s high time we defended our constitution and cultural values by putting a stop to content that violates our moral values. We are not a nation that promotes or condones homosexuality. Be warned.”
He further expressed that, similar to companies like Toyota halting sponsorships for LGBT-related causes, individuals should also stop supporting those who promote such views. Kandishaya urged people to “buy from dignified suppliers.”
The controversy surrounding Holy Ten has not been limited to Mama Vee. The artist has also clashed with other public figures, including Mudiwa Hood and Uebert Angel, who are both reportedly considering legal action against him. The situation has become a growing storm for Holy Ten, who continues to face both legal and public backlash over his remarks.
As the lawsuits unfold, it remains to be seen how the situation will evolve, with political factions and public figures taking sides in what has become a high-profile dispute.
Holy Ten’s actions have ignited discussions on free speech, cultural values, and the boundaries of public expression in Zimbabwe.