Police Deny Sulumani Chimbetu Was Arrested Over Grace Mugabe Allegations

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has refuted circulating social media rumours claiming that renowned Dendera musician Sulumani Chimbetu was arrested after allegedly making romantic advances toward former First Lady Grace Mugabe.

On Tuesday, August 5, 2025, social media was awash with reports alleging that Sulumani had made an inappropriate move on Grace Mugabe during a supposed brief encounter in Mazowe. The gossip suggested that the former First Lady was offended, leading to a report being filed and Chimbetu’s alleged arrest at a Harare police station.

However, law enforcement authorities have firmly denied any such occurrence.

National Police Spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi dismissed the claims as entirely fabricated. He confirmed that no such incident had been brought to the police’s attention and issued a warning about the dangers of spreading unverified stories online.

“We have not received any such report,” Nyathi said during an interview with The Daily News. “We urge the public to refrain from misusing social media to spread falsehoods.”

Sulumani Chimbetu also addressed the rumours, firmly denying any involvement in such an incident. Speaking to ZimLive, he labeled the claims as a smear campaign designed to tarnish his image.

“I’ve seen the posts making rounds online, but there’s no truth to them. Nothing like that ever happened,” he said. “It seems like some people are deliberately spreading lies just to stir controversy.”

Grace Mugabe, who recently celebrated her 60th birthday with a private celebration at her Blue Roof residence, has not publicly commented on the matter.

This incident adds Sulumani to a growing list of Zimbabwean public figures caught in the crossfire of social media misinformation — including baseless stories and AI-fabricated gossip. Authorities are increasingly concerned about the harmful effects of such content, which can range from humorous to deeply damaging.

Officials continue to urge citizens to fact-check before sharing online content, reminding the public that while fake news may trend quickly, it can also leave lasting damage on real lives and reputations.

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