Former inmate and self-proclaimed praise singer Bobby Makaza, popularly known as ED Huchi Baba, has publicly admitted that he has fallen on hard times. The controversial figure, who once gained fame for composing songs glorifying President Emmerson Mnangagwa, says he is now broke and unable to maintain the vehicle gifted to him by businessman Wicknell Chivayo last year.
In a recent viral video circulating on social media, Makaza appears despondent yet eager to attract attention again. Dressed in a white T-shirt boldly printed with messages urging Mnangagwa to “lead until 2040,” the ex-convict is seen showering Chivayo with praise. However, behind his enthusiastic words lies a different reality — one of financial hardship and regret.
Makaza first made headlines in 2023 when Chivayo, a businessman known for his lavish displays of wealth and political loyalty, rewarded him with a Toyota Aqua and US$2,000 cash. The gift came after Makaza released a song calling Mnangagwa “ED Huchi,” meaning “Mnangagwa is honey,” a nickname that quickly went viral in ruling party circles. For a moment, it seemed the ex-convict had found redemption through music and political flattery.
But barely a year later, Makaza’s fortunes have reversed. Speaking candidly in his latest video, the 36-year-old said the car had broken down after being mishandled by his sons, leaving him stranded and penniless. He lamented that he no longer has the means to repair or maintain the vehicle, which was once a symbol of his short-lived success.
“I don’t have money anymore,” Makaza confessed. “The car Chivayo gave me is now stuck. My sons damaged it, and I can’t afford to fix it. Life has become tough.”
ED Huchi Baba Breaks Down: Ex-Convict Praise Singer Says He’s Broke After Chivayo’s Gift Car Fails
Adding to his woes, Makaza revealed that the US$2,000 he received from Chivayo was squandered on a woman he had hoped to marry — only for her to abandon him soon afterward. The self-proclaimed praise singer admitted that his dreams of rebuilding his life after prison have collapsed, leaving him dependent on public sympathy once again.
Makaza’s rise and fall have reignited public debate about the dangers of celebrity culture built around political allegiance. His story, many argue, highlights how individuals with criminal pasts can be rehabilitated — or exploited — depending on their usefulness to those in power.
In 2019, Makaza was convicted of raping a 10-year-old girl in Murewa and sentenced to 16 years in prison. His conviction sparked outrage, with activists calling for tougher sentences on child abusers. However, in May 2023, he was among over 4,200 prisoners released under a presidential clemency order signed by Mnangagwa to mark the country’s Independence Day celebrations.
Makaza’s release raised eyebrows, but what followed shocked many even more. Within months, he was back in the public eye, this time not as a repentant ex-convict but as a high-profile supporter of the ruling ZANU PF party. When videos of him singing praises for Mnangagwa surfaced, Chivayo quickly took notice and rewarded him handsomely — a move that triggered outrage across Zimbabwe.
Critics accused Chivayo of glorifying criminality and undermining the fight against gender-based violence. “How can a man convicted of such a crime be given a car and money simply for praising the President?” one social media user wrote at the time. Others argued that Makaza’s case exposed how political connections often override moral accountability in Zimbabwe’s public life.
Human rights groups also expressed concern, saying the decision to celebrate Makaza was an insult to survivors of sexual abuse. Despite the backlash, both Chivayo and Makaza seemed unbothered then, using their newfound attention to bolster their online presence.
Now, however, the once-celebrated Huchi Baba appears to be grappling with the harsh consequences of fleeting fame. His confession that he has “nothing left” has reignited conversations about how political patronage and social media fame can quickly evaporate once the spotlight fades.
Observers note that Makaza’s downfall reflects a broader societal issue — the glorification of individuals who align themselves with political power, regardless of their past. Some view his situation as poetic justice, while others see it as a tragic reminder of the country’s deep socio-economic divides, where even redemption is tied to political loyalty.
As he pleads for help again through social media videos, many Zimbabweans remain divided. Some sympathize with his struggles, arguing that everyone deserves a second chance, while others believe his public humiliation is a fitting end for someone who once benefited from moral compromise.
For now, ED Huchi Baba — once a symbol of political devotion and opportunistic fame — stands as a cautionary tale about how quickly fortunes can crumble when they are built on shaky foundations. His car may have stalled, but it is his once-gleaming image that now lies in complete disrepair.
Source- ZimEye
