Zimbabwean hip-hop artist Holy Ten, whose real name is Mukudzei Chitsama, has been granted US$500 bail after appearing before a Harare magistrate accused of raping a 14-year-old girl.

The rapper appeared in court on Monday, where Magistrate Jesse Kufa granted bail following a brief initial hearing. The state, represented by prosecutor Lawrence Gangarahwe, did not oppose bail, saying investigations were continuing. “We are waiting for a forensic report and documents confirming the complainant’s age,” Gangarahwe told the court. Holy Ten was represented by lawyer Admire Rubaya.

According to the state, the alleged offence took place in the Hatfield area of Harare, after the complainant is said to have accompanied the musician from a recording session. The allegations have not been tested in court, and Holy Ten has not entered a plea. He is presumed innocent unless and until a court finds otherwise.

The court set several bail conditions. Holy Ten must report to the police once every Friday, surrender his passport, refrain from interfering with witnesses, and continue residing at his given address. The matter was remanded to 7 August to allow investigators to complete outstanding work, including the forensic report and confirmation of the complainant’s age.

Holy Ten is one of Zimbabwe’s most prominent young musicians, with a large following across the country and in the diaspora, which is partly why the case has drawn intense public attention. Out of respect for the complainant, who is a minor, her identity is not being reported.

Zimbabwean music legend Thomas Mapfumo has agreed to perform two concerts in Zimbabwe after businessman Wicknell Chivayo said he would pay the veteran musician a reported US$1 million.

Mapfumo, who has lived in the United States for years, said the payment was compensation for a professional service rather than a gift, according to reports carried by NewZimbabwe.com and other outlets. Chivayo had earlier made a series of public offers to the Chimurenga music pioneer.

The decision has divided Zimbabweans. Supporters argue that Mapfumo — long a critic of the political establishment — deserves to be rewarded after decades of shaping the country’s music. Critics have questioned the optics of accepting money from Chivayo, a politically connected businessman whose name has repeatedly featured in controversies over government-linked deals.

The debate has played out widely on social media, reflecting Mapfumo’s enduring cultural significance both at home and across the Zimbabwean diaspora.

Zimbabwean rapper Saintfloew is looking to kick his drug addiction once and for all and has reportedly flown out to South Africa where he is going to receive rehabilitation services.

In an interview with Star FM’s Ollah 7 last week, Saintfloew admitted that he was taking drugs, although he was in the process of trying to quit. He refused to admit whether he had been taking the dreaded crystal meth, known popularly as Guka or Dombo.

I cannot confirm the allegations and I cannot say anything about them, so I am not confirming anything and I am not talking about anything. But what I am saying is we came out from the wrong way, a lot happens here in Chitown (Chitungwiza) and I took multiple drugs.

I am still working on quitting taking some of the things. I am not confirming anything but all I can say is there are some drugs that I am trying to stop,” he said.

Saintfloew also revealed that his drug addiction had little to do with the music industry.

It is not like the pressures of music cause artists to take drugs, but before we became artists, we had nothing to do and we had all the time to take drugs. Now if it is regret or moving on, that is what I am working on,” he said

In an interview with H-Metro before the rapper’s departure to South Africa, Saintfloew’s mother, Ebenezer Mambo said that her son’s struggles with drugs were linked to a tough upbringing. She said the musician lost his father at the age of two.

We lost his father when they were still very young and there was no man in the house to whip my son into line. I tried my best to give him a life, but there are some times when a father is needed in the upbringing of children.

I have never doubted my son’s intelligence, but I was worried when he continued pursuing music. He ended up taking drugs and it pains me a lot,” she said.

Mambo praised Nash Paints Group executive chairman, Tinashe Mutarisi, who convinced Saintfloew to go for rehab in SA, for helping her son get back on track.

“I am humbled that good people still exist as is the case with Mr Tinashe Mutarisi. I think he was sent by God to save my son from abusing drugs.

“Like the biblical Moses, Mutarisi has just done the best for my family and I hope my son will come back from South Africa a changed man,” she said.