Winky D HICC Drama: Tagwirei’s SDA Paid US$245,000 to Block Crossover Show
Controversial businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei, through his Bridging Gaps Foundation, has reportedly paid US$245,000 on behalf of the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) church to block Winky D’s highly anticipated New Year’s Eve crossover show at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC).
The shocking revelation comes after Winky D accused the venue owners, Rainbow Tourism Group (RTG), of cancelling a booking he made months ago.
“The venue owners have chosen to prioritise another event on the same date,” Winky D’s team said in a statement.
Online publication Zimlive reports that the SDA Church secured the venue for its annual crossover service.
200 Rooms Booked for Five Days
Sources close to the matter said Rainbow Tourism Group approached Tagwirei’s foundation to secure the deal.
“The SDAs usually hold their crossover service at Glamis Arena Stadium. It was Rainbow which invited Tagwirei to use the HICC, not the other way round,” a source revealed.
The arrangement included booking 200 hotel rooms for five days. The total fee amounted to US$245,000, making the venue unavailable to Winky D.
Rainbow reportedly preferred this deal over Winky D’s revenue-sharing proposal, which they deemed less profitable.
“Rainbow insisted that the arrangement with Winky D was not financially beneficial,” the source added.
Rainbow’s corporate communications manager, Pride Khumbula, has yet to comment on the issue. Meanwhile, Tagwirei declined to respond to questions.
Fans Cry Foul
The cancellation has sparked outrage among Winky D’s fans, who accuse Rainbow of colluding with political players to block the artist. Tagwirei, known for his close ties to the ruling Zanu PF party, has become the focus of these suspicions.
Winky D’s music, often loaded with sharp social commentary, has previously drawn backlash from authorities. At one point, his songs were blacklisted by the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC).
A fan of Winky D shared their frustration on social media, writing,
“They are afraid of the truth in his music, so they keep finding ways to silence him.”
It remains unclear if Winky D has shelved plans for the show. However, speculation is rife that the musician might announce an alternative venue soon.
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The post Revealed: How Tagwirei-SDA Paid HICC US$245K To “Block” Winky D’s Crossover Show, Booked 200 Rooms For 5 Days appeared first on iHarare News.
