The Rise and Fall of a Once-Famous Figure
Bobi Makaza, a 62-year-old man who once captured the nation’s attention by chanting “ED huchi!” while praising President Emmerson Mnangagwa after his release from prison, has faced a dramatic decline in recent years. His story is one of sudden fame, followed by a series of misfortunes that have left him struggling to cope with life’s challenges.
Makaza was incarcerated for rape and served less than five years of a 16-year sentence before being released along with over 4,200 other prisoners under a clemency order signed by Mnangagwa in May 2023. During his time in prison, he had been sentenced for raping a 10-year-old girl in 2018. After his release, he was given a hero’s welcome, including a $2,000 cash reward and a Toyota Aqua courtesy of businessman Wicknell Chivayo.
A Newfound Fortune and Its Loss
Following his release, Makaza became a prominent figure during Zanu PF’s campaign trail in the 2023 harmonized elections. He was often seen at campaign rallies, enjoying VIP treatment and even receiving a house and additional cash during a presidential rally in Mutawatawa, Mashonaland East province. However, this newfound fortune did not last long.
According to villagers, Makaza lost the $2,000 windfall to a woman who later abandoned him. She had cohabitated with him for a period before leaving after realizing he had fallen on hard times. Makaza also admitted that his new wife, a cross-border trader who spent most of her time in Namibia, used much of the money given to him.
“I gave her $200 to travel from Namibia where she plies her trade mostly, though she is from this area,” he recalled. “I then gave her $600 to start a chicken project. To be honest, she worked hard on that project, but we failed to secure a market for the chickens.”
The woman eventually relocated to Namibia, claiming that Zimbabwe was not conducive for her trades. Makaza also used part of the money to pay dowry for his new wife. Before incarceration, he had married three times.
The Toyota Aqua and Deception
Makaza also admitted that he was defrauded by some youths who wanted to use the Toyota Aqua as a taxi. “They came to me and said they wanted to use the vehicle as a taxi, where I would get $120 per week,” he said. “I gave in to the deal not knowing that it was a bad decision. The next time I saw the car, it was in a mess.”
The dream of building a house using proceeds from the vehicle were shattered. Makaza had to exchange the Toyota Aqua with an old Toyota Noah, which has since been grounded at his homestead.
Reflections and Regrets
Makaza admitted that he wasted an opportunity to become rich in life and appealed to Chivayo to “smile at him” again since he had learned his “lesson.” Despite his past mistakes, he expressed a desire to tell his story and shed light on how he lost his newly-found fortune.
His journey serves as a cautionary tale about the fleeting nature of fame and the importance of making wise decisions. While he once stood in the spotlight, today, he is a shadow of himself, struggling to adapt to a low life. The lessons from his experiences are clear: success can be easily lost if not managed carefully.